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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455 Questions

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Last Answer on February 10, 2022

Best Rated

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.

Is it true that people who say are child molesters, rapists, murders, people who do really bad things are beaten, raped, and treated horribly versus people who are in on drug charges and other things that aren’t the end of the world so to speak

Asked by Kyle almost 6 years ago

Used to be VERY common in "the old days." Now there are so many child molesters and general purpose sex offenders locked up in relation to the general population the other convicts would spend all day thumping on them and never get anything else done.

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.

What do you think of Folsom prison Blues by Johnny Cash?

Asked by Jessie almost 6 years ago

I am not a huge fan of C&W but I do like his voice. Kind of like smooth whiskey.

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

Asked by blue tiger almost 6 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.

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 almost 6 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.

Did you get to pick what area you did or did they pick for you?

Asked by Carla almost 6 years ago

I am not sure I understand the question. If you mean a particular job assignment, once you get enough seniority you get to bid for a particular job. Not all jobs are open for bid, and you do need a fair bit of seniority to bid for the good ones.