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

What if I'm going to prison in a steel chastity device w internal lock sealed shut w steel... Will I be wearing it prison or will it get cut off

Asked by Guy in chastity about 8 years ago

My first guess is that this is a lame joke.  Assuming it is not. it will be removed unless it is somehow certified as a medical device.  Have fun dude. 

Yes , correct it would be a state correctional officer and yes he is in prison. I think I will be working at a jail. Thanks for the answer it was very helpful.

Asked by Shanellica almost 8 years ago

Generally speaking state correctional officers work in PRISONS, not JAILS, though there are exceptions to this.  Generally speaking State correctional officers work for the state, jail officers work for cities or counties.  That is certainly true in CA, though there is a bit of spillover in certain re-entry facilities.  You are unlikely to be assigned to one of those as a newbie.  Good luck.  I hope it works for you.

Ok. I am in California San Joaquin county to be exact.

Asked by Shanellica almost 8 years ago

As I said the state of CA does not discriminate against the FAMILIES of convicts in their hiring.  You COULD be hired by the state as a Correctional Officer.  They might take a little closer look at your background than they would other applicants and you would not be able to work at the prison where your husband is housed.  Again I am assuming you are talking about working for the STATE as a STATE CORRECTIONAL OFFICER and not for a county.  There is a difference between JAIL and PRISON.   There are differences between STATE civil service and COUNTY civil service.  There are 58 counties in CA and I am not closely familiar with their hiring standards.

I'm currently going under the process of becoming a CO but my question is will I be disqualified due to the fact that my fiance is in prison . ?

Asked by tina over 7 years ago

Not in California.  Might in other jurisdictions.  Also you would almost certainly NOT be able to work in whatever facility your fiancé is locked up in as that is an obvious security issue.  If you fail to report the relationship and they find out about it later that could get you fired.

My bf has been locked up since june he gets out this month n has a sudden new charge for possesion of a substance but he says its fir an old case what does this mean?

Asked by Curious almost 8 years ago

Hard to do this sort of thing by delayed-action remote control, but I will hazard a guess.  He has an old case for possession which they chose to not prosecute for at the time but now, for some reason, they are prosecuting it.  Maybe they have better info now and think it will stick.  Maybe they want to keep him in custody for something totally unrelated to the charges and it is just a stalling tactic.  It is completely kosher as long s they are within the statute of limitations.  You and he are gonna have to roll with it unless you have a good lawyer.

When I put money on my sons account, will it be taken for victim restitution? What it is inherited by my death? What are his chances to transfer to another state?

Asked by AlynsMom almost 8 years ago

As far as #1 I used to know the answer to that, at least in California, but I don't any more.  I have been retired almost 13 years and I just don't remember.  I THINK the answer is NO but I wouldn't bet on that.  Your inheritance would have nothing to do with your son's status as a felon.  He is free to inherit property and to leave property to others.  Out of state transfer of prisoners are rare unless they have a case pending in the state they are transferred to.  They are not unheard of, but they are rare. 

What is the most rewarding part as a CO?

Asked by Esmer over 7 years ago

General speaking (IMHO) people gravitate to this line of work because they are process oriented, the structure appeals to them.  Once in a while you get to do something that is THE RIGHT THING just because it is the right thing.  During the time I ran the reception center I had three new arrivals tell me "This is a screw-up.  I shouldn't be here."  All of them were telling the truth.  It would have gotten taken care of eventually but I got to fix it promptly because of the position I was in and because I choose to believe them at that point in the process.  It wasn't all rainbows and sunshine, but it was nice.