Correctional Officer

Correctional Officer

Bob Walsh

Stockton, CA

Male, 60

I worked for the California state system, starting as a Correctional Officer and retiring as a Lieutenant in 2005. I now write for the PacoVilla blog which is concerned with what could broadly be called The Correctional System.

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Last Answer on February 10, 2022

Best Rated

As a male correctional officer in a prison/jail. Is it possible to have longer hair? Above the collar bone but longer than the ears. Can it be kept in a bun or ponytail tight to your head?

Asked by quinn almost 10 years ago

Every jurisdiction has its own rules on grooming and appearance.  My GUESS is that in most jurisdictions the answer would be NO, but that is a guess and not an informed response. 

If someone has been arrested for felony charges, has been booked but has yet to go to trial (or even their first appearance with the magistrate court), at any point, are they allowed to request to see a therapist/psychologist?

Asked by Lucy over 9 years ago

I dealt only with convicted felons doing time, not pre-trial detainees.  That being said a person in custody can request pretty much anything they want pretty much any time they want it.  That doesn't mean they will get it.  Unless a person is obviously mentally disturbed or is asserting that they intend to hurt themselves or others I am unsure how quickly jail staff would act in those cases.  I expect it depends on the individual jurisdiction.

My boyfriend is on TS " transitional supervision " I'm his sponsor and I got asked a question from parole do you or anyone in the house hold work for CT DOC and I'm soon to get a job at a work release program does that effect sponsorship?

Asked by Alli over 10 years ago

Sorry, but I don't have enough information on how things work in Connecticut to give even an educated guess.  If I were to make a WAG (wild-ass guess) I would say that they don't like employees being sponsors, but if you were already a sponsor when you hired on they would be OK with it.  That is, however, a GUESS and not an informed opinion. 

Hi my daughter is in college for criminal justice and she's writing a paper on old correction vs new corrections she has done 2 pages and now she's stumped there's only so much we can get from the internet until I saw this thank you in advance

Asked by dp010103 about 9 years ago

I am unsure what you want.  I don't see a question here.  I am GUESSING that you want me to supply information on the "old" system versus the "new" system.  Since I have now been out for more than 12 years I don't think I will be able to supply much help.  Sorry. 

Can you become a corrections officer if you're married to an ex feon?

Asked by Tannerrr almost 10 years ago

In California, yes.  There is no legal prohibition against the spouse of a felon of ex-felon being a peace officer.  You can count on a very close background check and if he is gang involved there may be issues as you may be regarded as a "mole."  There is, however, no outright prohibition on the istuation.

what would you do if someone tried to escape? and what would you do if someone escaped?

Asked by dylan over 10 years ago

If someone tries to escape we shoot at them.  If they do actually escape we pursue them, go to places they are likely to be (mothers house, girlfriends house, etc) and otherwise try to catch them. 

Why do inmates get tablets in a correctional place it doesn't teach them anything they shouldn't have to freedoms someone like me or you would have and we did nothing wrong and they commited a crime its not teaching them a thing what so ever

Asked by Caela over 9 years ago

With all due respect that may be the most poorly constructed question I have ever read in my life.  A little punctuation would be nice too.  I THINK you are asking in prisoners are issued tablets (i.e. ipads) as part of the "correctional experience" or as some part of a training program.  I am unaware of any jurisdiction that does so.