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

Would having bad credit stop me from becoming a correctional officer?

Asked by SO1915 almost 7 years ago

Sort of-maybe-possibly.  Part of the job requirement for a peace officer is a satisfactory record as a law abiding citizen.  If you have done things like writing bad checks, etc. that were civil matters but not criminal that could be an issue.  Also, showing repeated crappy judgement could be an issue.  Some things, like having bad credit due to a foreclosure or car repo due to losing a job or something similar beyond your control would not be so much of an issue.  This is one of those things where the back story is more important than the fact of having bad credit itself.  I know people who were on welfare and food stamps before becoming cops and who got in with no problem and did OK on the job.

Has anybody failed a psyc with a county agency (CA) and taken a psyc with CDCR (CA)? Do they have your failed pysc from the first agency and cross examine you in the second interview? Thank you

Asked by John Wayne almost 7 years ago

Sorry, but I have no information on this subject one way or the other.

I have a petty theft misdemenor. Will that make them disqualify me ?

Asked by Sarah over 6 years ago

Not specifically, no.  However most peace officer employers also have a qualification something like "must have a satisfactory record of a law-abiding citizen."  If it is relatively old and relatively minor and not repeated, you are PROBABLY ok.  If it is relatively recent or more than one it is likely going to be an issue.

If a correctional officer pull offenders a part when fighting, is this a use of force?

Asked by Chance over 6 years ago

In CA, yes it is.  I suspect that is the case in most systems.

Hello, I just have a quick question. I would like to know if it is possible to still become a correctional officer if the person is slightly dyslexic? (of course this would effect reports)

Asked by shae over 6 years ago

Depends what you mean as DYSLEXIC.  I managed very nicely with a mild case of dyslexia, mine was mostly numbers.  I knew people who managed moderately who were worse off than I was, they just had to write their reports very carefully and make sure they were competently reviewed before submission.  Perhaps my biggest gripe as a Sgt. was dealing with shoddy reports, though most of those were just people who couldn't write, had nothing to do with dyslexia.

We live in the state of Washington I have a family member that was just released from prison and he has a son that he is not aloud to see because the mother works for the department of Corrections. Does she have legal grounds to do this

Asked by Diane over 6 years ago

I am unfamiliar with the laws in WA, I worked all my time in CA.  That being said I confess that this sounds odd to me.  I am inclined to think that there must be something going on in addition to the employment status, such as an existing court order re: contact.

How do inmates respond to therapy, typically, at the beginning? Do they find it hard to open up? Are they forced to do therapy?

Asked by sofibour almost 6 years ago

Not my department.  Sorry.  They can be required to go to therapy, they can not be FORCED to go to therapy.