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 all have the liberals screwed up in prison and justice systems do you think? Or do you think it helps? Also did you work with males, females, or coed mainly?

Asked by San over 6 years ago

I worked in an exclusively male facility. Some of the "liberal" notions have been long-term helpful, some not. The idea of forced integration of cells is stupid, it is an idea pushed by people who have never worked inside a prison. I am also bothered by some of the issues with medical care. Spending $1.2 million for a heart transplant for a death row inmate is IMHO stupid. Also, forcing the state to buy name brand (rather than generic) drugs for prisoners is a significant cost for no good purpose. It is still too early to sell what issues gender identification / gender identity may bring to the system. It was of course easier in "the old days" when prisoners had zero rights and the courts did not stick their noses into prison operations. Easier was not necessarily better however.

Maybe my wording wasnt right. My question. Is it legal or would it be construed for the captin at the jail to come to medical where my wife is and shove my mugshot in her face asking personal questions ie why this loser what gang is he in ect that ok

Asked by Outlaw1211 over 6 years ago

As far as I am aware there is no law against it. She is, however, under no obligation to answer. Also, depending on the exact circumstances there might be some HIPPA situation going on. Prisoners have almost the same level of MEDICAL INFORMATION privacy as does a free citizen and if the captain was inserting himself/herself into a medical situation or medical interview it is likely there would be some legit privacy issues to address. If all he was doing was entering medical housing or a medical clinic area to pursue legit custody inquiries, that is probably kosher. Basically the cops can ask pretty much anybody pretty much anything. You don't have to answer them. I should also think that if your wife has some legit mental health issues whoever is in charge of medical might have some problems with custody jumping into the middle of their program. That, however, is more of an internal procedural issue than a legal one.

Have you ever asked someone a question on here? If so do you mind saying what it was?

Asked by QUESTION TO ALL about 6 years ago

Not so as I remember. In this forum my job is to respond to questions, not ask them.

Have you ever had to kill someone?

Asked by ;jfalds about 6 years ago

The only person in the Department that HAS to kill someone is the executioner at San Quentin. For all the rest of us it is merely a perq of the job.

Hi what do you think the average IQ of a criminal is?

Asked by I DON’T KNOW WHAT Y’ALL ARE DOING about 6 years ago

I don't know. There average educational level is substantially less than the general public, that doesn't mean they are stupid. Since I am fairly well socialized and in the age bracket that I am I tend to equate good education and normative behavior with intelligence. Therefore my opinion is likely to be biased.

What (if anything?) can prison management, and Correctional officers, do to reduce the incidence of inmate-on-inmate rape / sexual assault? (Obviously, segregating vulnerable prisoners, such as sex offenders, is one tool, but are there others?)

Asked by Elvis over 6 years ago

Obviously staff must just BE AWARE of things going on around them. One of the things is being alert to coerced cell change requests and of course doing regular patrols into relatively isolated areas where inmates might have a reasonable reason to be, like warehouse and work areas. Especially if you see an inmate who APPEARS to be acting as a lookout. With a little time and experience you get used to spotting such things.

Hello now I have a question what is the difference between IA and HR?

Asked by Sadie over 6 years ago

I am GUESSING that IA is internal affairs and HR is human resources. Internal Affairs specifically investigates wrong doing, including possible criminal activity, by department personnel, usually peace officers. Human resources is responsible for personnel management. This includes hiring, firing, tracking promotions and investigating some sorts of internal complains, like sexual harassment. This of course varies tremendously from agency to agency.