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

What does regristation required current cycle (life supv) mean my husband is in prison and I want to know what this means. Thank you

Asked by Daisy almost 10 years ago

I am unfamiliar with the terminology.  My educated guess means that he will be on parole supervision for the rest of his life when/if he is ever paroled.  I could easily be wrong. 

Is it possible to have hand tattoos and still be a correctional officer? I've been trying to do my research but nothing comes up. Your input would be very helpful!

Asked by Jm26 about 9 years ago

Sorry, but there were no regulations concerning ink when I was working.  I am unaware if there are any now.  Wish I could be more helpful.  I BELIEVE the officer orientation packet for California is on line, you could probably access it and see what it has to say. 

Can a correctional officer get in trouble for dating a felon? The felon was never incarcerated while the CO was therefore no relationship was established previously.

Asked by Thatbuckeyedude over 8 years ago

If the felon is still under the jurisdiction of the department (i.e. on parole, probation or other sort of supervised release) then the short answer is YES.  In most jurisdictions it is actually a crime for a staff member, especially a peace officer, to engage in a sexual relationship with a person under the jurisdiction of their department due to the power imbalance.  It is legally considered rape and is likely to get the officer fired and prosecuted.  If the relationship is merely social and not sexual (which might be hard to prove) it would still get the officer fired.  Even if the person is no longer on parole, probation or whatever there are still POSSIBLE problems relating to access to firearms and ammunition.  This is one of those questions you might want to run by a lawyer in your state for hard facts.

As a new CO I understand we are going to be tested by inmates to know our limits however how should we react? When is a write up appropriate? As a woman should I write up inmates for each sexual remark or rudest? As a new CO will inmates fight me to

Asked by Daniela over 8 years ago

We seem to have lost part of your question.  You have to find your own comfort zone which takes a while.  You clearly can't write up every minor infraction.  However, if you let sexual or rude personal remarks slide they may come to believe you enjoy the attention, or at least don't mind it.  My inclination would be to be fairly strict along those lines. 

Anyways when she came to escort the prisoner to general population we. Very briefly exchanged words. I bonded out since this was a failure to appear on a traffic violation, and got in contact with her on Facebook. is it legal for us to date???

Asked by V3ngeance over 9 years ago

Good question.  I am not sure I have as good answer.  A person on bond is still in a form of constructive custody, but you are legally in the custody of the bondsman and not the government.  My educated guess is YES.  However, were I her, I would NOT do so until your legal matters had been fully adjudicated or it could result in some fallout in her direction.

U said to send a letter to corrections if I don't have an oral appointment in 60 days, but how if were not suppose to contact them?

Asked by Beautydiamond47@gmail.com about 9 years ago

I'm sorry, when you wrote and said you weren't supposed to CALL I thought you meant you were not suppose to CALL.  If what you really meant is you are not supposed to contact them in any fashion then probably you should not contact them.  

As a future Correctional Counselor how would I know when an inmate is being used as another inmate's punk or kid? How would I be able to stop it?

Asked by Neal Bracken over 9 years ago

If the relationship was consensual it might be difficult.  If not you might be able to read body language or pick up on other clues.  Observational skills are important.  Simply separating them, i.e. changing jobs or housing, will sometimes do the job.  Tossing the aggressor into segregation pending investigation will also often deal with the trouble, at least short term.