Ask a Correctional Officer anything

454 Questions

Last Answer on February 10, 2022

What advice would you give someone considering corrections as a career?

Asked by K Roar over 6 years ago

It isn't as good a gig as it used to be due to politics, but it is still pretty decent, at least in CA.

Do you think that the prison system rehabilitates or only punishes?

Asked by sofibour over 6 years ago

The "system" does not, and can not, rehabilitate. Rehabilitation comes from within and can not be imposed from the outside. The offender must WANT to change and be willing to do so.

597 Votes

So you wanna be a Correctional Officer??

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Are there other alternatives for wrong doers other than imprisonment?

Asked by sofibour over 6 years ago

Obviously there are. They could be executed. They could be ignored and allowed to continue to offend. They could be maimed (like taking the hand off a thief or castrating a rapist.) Whether these alternatives are effective, legal or human is a completely different question.

596 Votes

What should someone expect when applying to become a prison guard? I heard they have thorough background checks, they may also have lie detector tests.

Asked by Al about 6 years ago

I do not know of any agencies that do a poly any more. Doesn't mean there are not any. CA does a decent basic background check. Obviously they do a criminal records check and public record financial check. DMV. I believe they also mail out questionaires to people you indicate as references. I don't know if they do many personal contact interviews. Drug screen also of course. Psych eval.

596 Votes

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Can I request a single cell or solitary confinement and would I be guaranteed a cell? I wouldn’t want to be pissed on or killed in my sleep.

Asked by Yuy about 6 years ago

You can request anything you want. In CA even some death row inmates are double-celled. Your housing situation is determined (in most states) by a check-list type criteria. How long is your sentence. Do you have a history of violence or fire-setting? Are you more likely than others to be the victim of violence? What is your personal preference. (That last one is way down the list.) What is available. Long term or even medium term your personal preferences mean almost nothing. The best way to sleep where you want is to stay out of prison.

596 Votes

Have you ever seen a co-worker help prisoners sneak contraband or something else? If so what happend? Where they paid and do you know how much?

Asked by 2893472389 over 6 years ago

I have not personally seen it, but it does happen. People get fired and sometimes prosecuted for it. At one time tobacco was popular and since it was not technically ILLEGAL to smuggle it some people thought it was OK. Then cell phones. Drugs have always been popular but also always illegal. I don't have any fine details on the profit margins of such things, and since I have been out 14 years now any info I might have had would be stale.

594 Votes

What did your job specifically consist of?

Asked by Jada over 6 years ago

The basic job description in the employment flier is a pretty good spot to look for that. Basically a Correctional Officer keeps an eye on inmates and provides services to them. We ensure that they are released for meals and jobs, get mail, get laundry done and, as much as possible, get along with each other and with staff. For more detailed info you can go to the CA Dept. of Corrections web site and download a job description from their employment opportunities section.

594 Votes