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 did you carry on your bat belt?

Asked by Danica over 5 years ago

Depends. When I was a C/O I carried a radio (usually) and alarm (usually), handcuffs, glove pouch, and a baton of one sort of other. Also normally a double key pouch (usually a semi-auto magazine holder) for holding keys. When I was a Sgt. and Lt. the radio became normal, the alarm less so (the alarms are area specific and supervisors usually moved around more). Often the baton went away too, depending on what assignment I was on. When I was the patrol sgt. on very rare occasions I carried a .38 revolver.

Was there anyone you did not like?

Asked by Hu? over 6 years ago

There are a great many people in the world I do not like. Since it is illegal to shoot them for being unlikable I just have to avoid them as much as I can.

Further to my qst email they r being blackmailed into signing being told if they dont sign they will be shipped back to closed conditions

Asked by lisa knight almost 6 years ago

That is not a question. It is an assertion.

Is that a photo of you pointing the gun?

Asked by Tmore about 6 years ago

Yes. Colt 1917 cut down to round butt and 3" barrel.

Why do you think so many people on this site want people to give them the answer they wanna hear instead of the truth or your (or whomever their asking) opinion? I mean they already told them selves so whats the point?

Asked by Walker asks people almost 6 years ago

I strongly suspect that is part of the basic human condition. You want to believe you are right and you want validation.

Is there really any "correcting" in prison for the most part? I mean how do we get people justice and also get people the help they need so they wont do it again as soon as they get out of prison or later down the road even?

Asked by Diane over 5 years ago

For the most part NO. We can not enforce correction on unwilling participants. Most criminals are criminals deliberately, they didn't accidentally fall in with a bad crowd or other crap. They made a conscious decision to adopt a criminal lifestyle. Once they get too old, or too tired, or get tired of the madness the system may be able to provide some useful tools for them to stay out of the slammer. They have to be interested in doing so on their own or it doesn't work.

Do inmates do nasty things to the food when they work behind the counter serving food?

Asked by Martian about 6 years ago

Not usually. Inmates have to eat the food. Somebody would snitch. Somebody would get thumped.