Ask a Correctional Officer anything

455 Questions

Last Answer on February 10, 2022

How do most people enter this career?

Asked by Beanie about 6 years ago

By taking a civil service exam. For some people it is the family business, some people are just looking for a steady job that isn't likely to go away. The structure appeals to some. Some people get off on thumping prisoners.

631 Votes

What do you do in the case of fire, tornados, earthquakes, etc? What about different units or departments?

Asked by COVID-19 about 6 years ago

Don't get many tornados in CA. Fires are not too much of a problem, it is hard to burn reinforced concrete. Contents can make for a very smoky fire, bad for the guys in the cell, but its not like it will burn the building down. I was there for the World Series earthquake. We did a count right after to make sure nobody was injured, checked the fence for damage, then went on about our business. .

630 Votes

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What is the worst thing about working in a prison?

Asked by Mason almost 6 years ago

That is very hard to say as it is quite subjective. Some people just hated the feeling of being locked in. The noise could be bad. The constant undercurrent of hostility was bad for some people. Dealing with idiot staff, some of who were your boss, or dealing with really irritating inmates who didn't give a shit could also be bad. Its kind of all in how you look at it.

629 Votes

Has someone ever tried to pay you off or to do something or anything similar?

Asked by Carly over 5 years ago

Never been offered a bribe of any kind for any reason. I guess I just come across as too straight.

628 Votes

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Have you ever had to disarm an attacker?

Have you ever been offered a bribe? What did you do? How often this this happen and did anyone actually take it. I hear it happens all the time inmates will pay them enough and their like “I don’t get paid enough for this” and take it and get caught

Asked by Kale almost 6 years ago

I was never offered a bribe. Not once. Various staff members have been caught for dealing with prisoners. Mostly smuggling cigarettes or cell phones. It is very dangerous because too many people find out about it and eventually you will get caught. Then you get fired and probably prosecuted. .

628 Votes

Are the lock down orders constitutional?

Asked by Dimmie about 6 years ago

I am not a constitutional lawyer. My understanding of the law is that they are very dubious. A quarantine order, which IS constitutional, is issued by a court or by competent medical authority against a specific named person. None of these lockdown orders do that.

627 Votes

Did you ever have a problem with your hand held radios. Ronald spotted some BS suspicious activity, Dave saw something you would never believe, Marlene is going to tell everyone what she is having for lunch today, Darrel is taking a bathroom break, Bobbi Sue is having her nails done, Bob saw something you would never believe it oh my gosh come check it out, Dan is just talking to hear himself talk and it goes on and on meanwhile you have a fight or something and you can’t get on the air. I mean there is a priority or emergency button but sometimes there are not emergencies but when you want to get on but people are just talking to hear themselves talk. Did you ever have that?

Asked by Lol over 5 years ago

The radios we had when I left were 80 mghtz radios but did not have a priority circuit on them. There is, of course, not supposed to be a lot of BS traffic on the radios, they are supposed to be official business and not idle chitchat. Whoever is in charge should have something to say about obvious misuse of the system. .

627 Votes