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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454 Questions

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Last Answer on February 10, 2022

Best Rated

How jealous where inmates that you got to go home and have a happy life while they had to stay locked up?

Asked by Dude over 6 years ago

Typically not very. Most inmates are career criminals and know that getting locked up from time to time is the cost of doing business.

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.

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.

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.

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 almost 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.

Im a student studying criminal justice, i have a assignment which is interviewing a correctional officer is it okay if i interview you? And if so may i jave your contact information

Asked by Isabel.velazquezloza almost 7 years ago



I have been retired for over 13 years and due to some parent care issues am pretty much impossible to contact at any sort of reasonably predictable time.  Sorry, but I don't think I can help you much on this project.

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.