Ask a Correctional Officer anything

454 Questions

Last Answer on February 10, 2022

What is the psychological evaluation like?

Asked by Lolop over 12 years ago

I have no idea. They did not have a formal psych screening when I started with the department.

Who cleans prison cells - the prisoners or some janitorial service? Also, how do prisoners do laundry?

Asked by mitchfork over 12 years ago

Prisoners do their own cell cleaniing, unless something REALLY messy happens, like somebody gets killed in there.

Generally speaking the inmates turn in their clothes in bags on one day and get them back the next day. The bags, with the clothes in them, get run through the wash and dry in the laundry bags with number tags on the bags so they get back to the right place. Individual clothes are not labeles to individual inmates, at least not in california. They are responsible for washing their own personally owned clothing, which they are allowed to own in General Population. Landury is a major expense and a major logistical headache in the system.

1243 Votes

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How do prisoners get tattoos in prison?

Asked by MOOAAR almost 13 years ago

It isn't hard to make a tattoo gun. A broken guitar string and a motor stolen out of a tape player will do it. They use blue or black ballpoint pen ink. A lot of guys get Hep C or HIV from dirty tattoo needles.

1243 Votes

How do inmates shave in prison, assuming they can't have blades?

Asked by OC Blake almost 13 years ago

generally they use disposable type BIC razors. it is not hard to break the blades out of them, melt them into a tooth brush handle and turn them into a pretty decent slashing weapon. except in Adminsitrative Segregation razor blades are not that tightly controlled, it just isn't practical.

1233 Votes

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You mentioned prisoners making wine, weapons, tattoo guns and such, MacGyver-style. What's the most inventive thing you've ever seen a prisoner make?

Asked by McGillis over 12 years ago

one guy made a fairly good looking but fortunately non-functional, Sten gun in the furniture shop. that was clever, scary, also terribly stupid.

1224 Votes

My boyfriend was very good to me on the outside. He took care of me. We were dating for 2 years. But, now he may face 10 years. I am confused. I really love him! He wants me to marry him. I am unsure! Can you give me some advice?

Asked by sunny about 12 years ago

I'll try, though advice is dangerous and sometimes nothing works. Most people, including me, are STRONGLY opposed to jailhouse romances as they pretty much have a 100% failure rate. You, however, have had a relationship before he got locked up. So there are a few things you need to look at. One is time. Depending on what state you are in 10 years may mean three years, or it may mean ten years. There is a HUGE difference. It also depends on the offense. If it was a sexual offense (i.e. child molestation, etc) he is unlikely to change. If it was something else, like robbery or burglary, he may get his head straight. If he has a significant record already he is likely to change only via old age or infirmity, and you will have to look forward to him being incarcerated on and off for the rest of his life. Do you have any children? Do you have any children with him? Does he have any children with anybody else? Are you self-supporting, do you have a job? Will he expect you to kick down money to him while he is locked up? Will he expect you to spend all your weekends visiting him in prison? Are you ready for all that? My basic advise on ANY marriage is, if you have to ask, you are not ready. When one partner is about to go away to prison for what might be a long time, I definitely think it is a bad idea. More info would be helpful, but that is my basic response.

1224 Votes

Why do so many prisoners become Muslims while in jail?

Asked by qwerty over 12 years ago

On a numerical basis it isn't so many, but the numbers can become meaningful. When you get somebody who is disaffected, probably feels dumped on and discriminated against, finding a group of like-minded people who are willing to tell you that YOU are ok and the SYSTEM is what is wrong is personally validating.

1222 Votes