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 do you do in the case of fire, tornados, earthquakes, etc? What about different units or departments?

Asked by COVID-19 over 5 years ago

We don't get tornadoes here. During the World Series Earthquake we did another count just to make sure nobody was injured and checked for damages to the fence, etc. not too worried about fire, you have to work real hard to burn reinforced concrete. a cell fire might get the two guys in the cell but is unlikely to spread significantly.

I can’t that’s the point. I can’t ask any questions it says he’s away. You try it.

Asked by UH OH UH OH UH OH almost 6 years ago

Damned if I know.

What do you think the situation was with that cop killing the black man?

Asked by Caleb over 5 years ago

It is really hard to say. There are about 800,000 cops in this country. A few of them will be dumptrucks. You might remember Officer Mohammed Noor was also from Minneapolis and is currently doing time for the same charge they have nailed this White guy with. He was carried by the system because their moron mayor desperately wanted a Somali Islmaic cop on the force, even though he should have been dumped during training. I understand the current guy has a substantial number of complaints against him that were MAYBE-PROBABLY not handled correctly. My GUESS is that the dead guy said or did something that tweaked the cop and he decided he was going to show his prisoner what for. Completely unjustified morally, ethically and legally. The cop KNEW or SHOULD HAVE KNOWN that what he was doing was very dangerous to his prisoner, who was clearly not resisting. I am not familiar with Minnesota law that much but it is distinctly possible that the other three cops who were there and who did not intervene will face some criminal charges as well. I do think that burning down an Auto Zone or a Target because you are pissed at the cops is kind of stupid and not even remotely helpful.

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 about 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.

Have you ever beat up a inmate before?

Asked by Good little dude almost 6 years ago

Before what?

What do you think of females in this job? I don't see a problem with it but some people seem to

Asked by Mia about 5 years ago

Some females do very well. Most do OK. Some are total loses. Rather like male employees. When I started (1986) women working in men's prisons were unusual but not prohibited. some of the dinosaurs had trouble with it, but not too many. I don't see a problem with it either.

What kinds of gangs are there in prison?

Asked by CO fan over 5 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.