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

When you where around a really horrible person convicted of the worse crimes there are. Could you feel something really bad about them or sicking?

Asked by Merry over 6 years ago

After a while you sort of get numb to the gross and disgusting things people are capable of doing to each other. Sad, but true.

Why do almost all non uniformed cops wear khakis or a suit? I know most offices have cops wear them but its almost always 5.11 khaki like pants

Asked by asdf about 6 years ago

Because most of them would be funny looking or unattractive if they walked around in their underwear.

Also why has the rehabilitation gone from helping people be rehabilitated and things to making excuses and just parol or probation? Making excuses Does no good but trying to help them recognize what they did, what they can do now with their lives, and move on would work better. In my opinion.

Asked by Tyler over 6 years ago

Rehabilitation is, and has pretty much always been (IMHO) a joke. "The system" can provide opportunities and tools, but a person has to WANT to change. True change comes from within, it can not be forced on a person. Most of the people in prison view themselves as criminals. That is their "job". That is what they do. That is what they want to do. That is what they like to do. Eventually they will get too old, or too slow, or too sick, or just get tired of the madness and decide to change. Or else they die. Either way the problem is self correcting, though it takes time and money and pain to get there.

If you where not a Correctional Officer what job could you see yourself doing?

Asked by Question to all almost 6 years ago

Before that I worked for the DMV giving driving tests. It was OK but working at the prison was safer.

What’s your IQ

Asked by Big Jim over 6 years ago

adequate

What kinds of gangs are there in prison?

Asked by CO fan almost 6 years ago

Pretty much all kinds. Many of them are strictly prison gangs, many of them are street gangs that have migrated into prisons. Also some street gangs started in prisons. Most are racial. A small number are geographic, like the Texas Syndicate. Biker gangs are also active in the prison setting. Some are racial-political like the old BGF. Like I said, all kinds.

Did you have the same, less, or more power then a regular police officer? Where you a sworn peace/police/law enforcement officer? Could you arrest someone out side of the system? Thanks!

Asked by Francis almost 6 years ago

We are peace officers under a different section of the penal code than "street cops." Our authority is limited to the course of our employment, which is, generally speaking, persons and locations under control of the department. We could arrest a person who interfered with, say for instance, the transport or medical treatment of a prisoner off grounds.