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

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

Asked by Amy almost 6 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.

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.

Why are Tasers only black, yellow, or clear?

Asked by Chase almost 6 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.

What does a returned county jail letter look like if it get it returned ? Not sure if its from mailman or jail. Does it say anything on letter ?

Asked by Deanna de about 5 years ago

Never worked in a county jail in my life. Normally it would say RETURN TO SENDER but other than that it would depend. Post Office is unlikely to know if a particular person is a prisoner at as particular time so they would normally send it on to the jail. It would be up to the jail to forward or return it.

So with the 50 genders and counting how many new units and prisons will we need because we have men’s and women’s prisons but we need gender neutral, non binary And all the other genders and sexes housing.

Asked by Karli almost 6 years ago

Fortunately I retired before this started. Under the "old" rules if you had a penis, and your birth certificate said MALE you were a male. Anything else was open for discussion. The new rules are still being worked on. I do know that in one prison (NOT in CA) the prison system is being sued because a "real" female prisoner was allegedly raped by a trans-female prisoner who had been housed in a women's prison.

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

Asked by Carla over 5 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.

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.