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.

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

455 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on February 10, 2022

Best Rated

I mean it would not surprise me that they would be hated but I hear it all the time. I would think that CO’s would intervene in instances but sometimes I would think things would happen to quickly. Are they ever in separate hosing or protective custody?

Asked by Kyle over 5 years ago

Sometimes sex offenders are placed in specialized housing where pretty much everybody there is a sex offender. I think they call it "special needs" now rather than "protective custody." The department tries real hard not to load up on special needs housing because the administration of such housing is a pain in the ass.

What kinds of drama did you have among co workers, inmates, and other people who had to deal with?

Asked by Amy over 5 years ago

All kinds. Most of the on-going drama was person as opposed to job related. Sick family, dying family, dead family, personal relationships turning to crap, that sort of thing. Work getting in the way of family. Family getting in the way of work. Usual stuff.

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

Asked by Neal Bracken over 5 years ago

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

Why are Tasers only black, yellow, or clear?

Asked by Chase over 5 years ago

I have never seen a clear one. They make them black and yellow for the same reason they used to make Taxi Cabs in Black and Yellow. Makes it easy to identify visually. They want to ensure as much as possible a person knows when they have a Taser and when they have something else.

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 almost 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.

What is the BOP and what does it do

Asked by Terri over 5 years ago

BOP is the Federal Bureau of Prisons. I believe it works under the Attorney General's Office. Assuming I remember correct the federal system is a dual arrangement. They have PRISONS and CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS. The prisons are essentially people warehouses for prisons doing long confinements, life or condemned prisoners. They are security oriented. The Correctional Institutions pretend to offer rehabilitative services and programs.

How do you contain prisoners at times when they might get out of hand. Say a fight you have people fighting and then you have opportunists who might try to d something while the guards are distracted. How do you manage mayhem?

Asked by Sammy over 5 years ago

Physical containment is actually fairly effective. You only have so many people in a given area and eventually you will be able to find out who they are. If bodies start dropping you know who was there, or at least who could have been there. Poured in place cement walls, detention quality doors and very good fences do that job fairly well. If push comes to shove we thump on people, use chemical agents or them, or shoot them to make them stop. Eventually they stop.