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

Hi, I know this is a sensitive question for you but I am curious have you ever for any reason killed someone on the job either accidentally or on purpose and why

Asked by Tina over 4 years ago

No. It ALMOST came up once but by the time I got the rifle up the situation had resolved itself.

how often do you have to have physical, mental, and firearms proficiency testing?

Asked by blue tiger over 4 years ago

Never, as I am long retired. Firearms qualifications were either once per year or four times per year depending on job assignment. (I DO have to qualify to maintain my retired carry status.) When I retired, 15+ years ago, there was no specified ongoing physical or mental testing.

Did you have to go through the police academy and do you have to be a post certified peace officer?

Asked by Haylee over 4 years ago

In CA there is a C-POST for correctional officers. The academy runs about 14 weeks right now. Many street cops have an academy that runs six months. Correctional Officers don't need to know a lot of what street cops need, like search and seizure. You have to pass the academy to be sworn in to legally do the job. Correctional Officers fall under a different section of the penal code than do street cops and our police authority exists only within the course of our employment. Typically this is persons and property under the jurisdiction of the department, though there are exceptions to this, such as escape pursuits.

Are felonies and misdemeanor people share the same prison cell in Maryland

Asked by Sel over 4 years ago

NO idea. Never been there. In most states there are legal problems with housing misdemeanants and felons together.

Can married co defendants live together in prison?

Asked by Sammie over 4 years ago

Good question. I don't know. I have been retired for over 15 years and the issue did not come up at that time. State law specifically prohibits sexual relations between prisoners but of course that was written when homosexual conduct was illegal in general. I have no information one way or the other just now. Sorry.

Bob, if you had to do it all over again what occupation would you have chosen?

Asked by Neal Bracken over 4 years ago

Same one. It was a different time. I might not do it today.

Do you ever watch Officer 401 on YouTube

Asked by Hot dog eater over 4 years ago

Nope. Never. Never even heard of it until now.