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

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

Asked by Neal Bracken almost 6 years ago

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

Have you ever had a IA or HR investigation against you? What where complaints usually about? Was it prisoners usually bitter they where locked up so they took it out on you? Possibly other co workers?

Asked by Cole almost 6 years ago

Actually NO. Inmates complain Constantly about Everything. Most of those complaints take the form of inmate grievances, filed on a 602 form. This can be anything from I AM NOT GETTING MY LAUNDRY BACK to THE COPS ARE MESSING WITH MY MAIL to THE FOOD SUCKS. I have only had one of these directed go me personally, over a mail issue from when I was working in the mail room. Some guy was writing to a girl on the streets and had her convinced he was a fighter pilot and the prison was actually an Air Force base. She tried to mail him a package, which was sent back as it was unauthorized. She made a beef to the post office who forwarded her beef to the prison. I happened to be the person who responded to the beef, which resulted in her finding out that he was a prisoner and NOT a fighter pilot at an air force base. He was pissed and filed a 602.

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

Asked by blue tiger over 5 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.

Why are you pointing a gun at me sir?

Asked by Tim over 5 years ago

Somebody has to do it. You could be dangerous.

Have you ever seen high level or well known people. Such as cases that made national or international news, a celebrity, a famous person, or someone else who was well known?

Asked by Martian about 6 years ago

A few. Ronald Regan once (when he was Governor of CA). Jerry Brown a couple of times, when he was Governor and I was on the Board of Directors of the Correctional Officer's union. Father Kelly, a well-known child molester who was a prisoner at the prison I worked at. A couple of members of the Bechtel family (the construction people). A few higher ups within the DOC in CA. Several other famous (notorious) prisoners a time or two.

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

Asked by Sel almost 6 years ago

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

Do you think not wearing a mask should be a crime or do you think people who create these laws, ordinances, policies, etc should be the ones arrested

Asked by Jamie over 5 years ago

Assuming it can be proven, or at least convincingly demonstrated, that the current level of medical science says mask DO substantially inhibit the spread of Covid-19 I have no problem with it being a law. Of course as far as I know in most locations it is NOT a law, it is an administrative order enacted by a governor, mayor etc. We have been dealing with this for a year now. There is enough time for legislative bodies to have made up their minds and taken action. I have no problem with using administrative or executive action for a relatively short period of time to deal with something new or unexpected. Doing it long-term is not a great idea, for what my opinion may be worth. I also have no problem with property owners saying that YOU MUST WEAR A MASK TO COME INTO MY STORE-RESTAURANT-WHATEVER. If you don't like it, take your business elsewhere.