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General Site Info => General Discussion => Topic started by: LTZ C20 on July 21, 2015, 01:25:24 am
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Hey all, today I applied for a job as a Correctional Officer for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. I grew up in a law enforcement family. My father was a Sheriff's Deputy for about 15 years and my mother was a Police Officer for about 20 years. Growing up with that has instilled a law enforcement desire in the back of my mind. I decided that this would be a great opportunity to build for my future so that I can one day buy a house, my girlfriend and I can hopefully get married some day and we can start and support a family. Though playing with cars at the dealership has been fun and very rewarding, I believe this is better suited for me and cars can be a hobby. This whole process, if I am able to continue through each stage, could take up to a year to complete, so it's gonna be awhile. Now I just have to wait for a response to my application for the first step of the process.
Are there any members here who are correctional officers or who have family or friends that are? Any state is welcome, specifically California though, seeing as that's where I applied. I would like to hear your thoughts and opinions and anything else you want to share.
Thanks all!
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So wait, are you a tech right now?
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I am not, but we have a medium security prison 10 minutes away from where I live. I have done lots of work in there so have dealt with the correctional officers quite a bit. Seemed like a very cool job I hope it all pans out for you.
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I know of a former one who was a supervisor, (higher ranked) and the pay is not that great for the danger involved.
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So wait, are you a tech right now?
Not exactly. My official title is Quality Control Advisor. I work with the techs to pinpoint the more difficult issues with cars, road test with them and customers to verify problems and road test vehicles after repairs to verify the problems are gone or if they are still there.
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I am not, but we have a medium security prison 10 minutes away from where I live. I have done lots of work in there so have dealt with the correctional officers quite a bit. Seemed like a very cool job I hope it all pans out for you.
Cool thanks. California currently has 34 institutions state wide, 30 or so are actual prisons, the rest are rehabilitation, vocational or some kind of training facility.
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I know of a former one who was a supervisor, (higher ranked) and the pay is not that great for the danger involved.
From what I have found, California's wages even for a new employee is pretty darn good. Having 34 locations you could work at, 100's of different positions to possibly work in.
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Not sure why any one would want to go to prison every day ...
In my state the best way to get a probation or parole officer job is to be a prison guard first
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Not sure why any one would want to go to prison every day ...
In my state the best way to get a probation or parole officer job is to be a prison guard first
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The possibilities inside corrections department are extensive. They have transportation, surveillance and threat analysis, investigations, K9 units, Critical Response Teams (basically a SWAT team in the prison), administration and rehab positions, assistant wardens and wardens, but that is just a few. A regular corrections officer is actually a prison guard, but the longer your there, you can promote, transfer to other facilities, try different jobs. You don't have to stay a guard forever. Here in CA, a corrections officer is actually a state Peace Officer, much like our Highway Patrol. Basically, prison guard is a start, after that there are all kinds of roads to take during a career. And a prison guard today is nothing like the prison guards in The Shawshank Redeption like people might imagine a prison guard used to be. You have to take a written knowledge test, there's physical training and tests, psychological evaluations, health tests and firearms/chemical agents training. I'm already very familiar with guns.
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I've read the prison employees union on Cali has quite a bit of political clout and great pensions police fire and teachers are the only jobs left with decent retirement pensions
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I've been with Delaware's department of corrections for 8 years now. Granted Delaware doesn't have the gang problem as CA. And you have to be a little crazy to do it every day. And you can either be a nice guy (which I'll get to later) or you can be a hard as nails guy. Whichever you choose it will make your day, if you choose to be a hard butt you will have a rough day and possibility put yourself in danger and you have to earn the respect from the inmates and keep it. It's a constant mental game you have to play.
If you become a softy you won't have the respect from the inmates nor will you have it from your fellow brothers in blue. The inmates will pick you apart and will get what they want and when you finally tell them no, the inmates will be upset and it will only cause more problems for you and others.
When I first started I was a softy thinking the inmates were my friends. We call this manipulation, they even asked me to bring in drugs cause I was nice. I was in the lifers building and they didn't give me a problem so I was relaxed and was friendly to them but I was their main link to the outside and they tried me. After that it changed me and I knew I was just a "cop" and they used my niceness against me. I changed shifts and buildings to start over and became a not so nice c/o.
After a year of that I changed prisons all together were I ran my own building and it was me vs 70. Usually 1vs 35 during chow and rec. But I ran it and I ran it the way I wanted, never had to get physical with anyone I have sprayed a few but never got into a fight with one. You have to think they can take you at anytime but you can't let that keep you from doing your job.
You will have a tough job and you can't go right in guns blazing you have to earn your respect just like the inmates earn theirs from each other. That badge on your chest doesn't mean they can't touch you and they will do what you want. You have to earn that and you will have to keep earning it everyday. Once you make yourself known you will get a younger knuckle head who will want to try you. And they love for c/me to lose their cool so they will try to make you snap. Don't give them that satisfaction
I recently changed buildings again cause the one that I ran became too boring, it was nice cause the inmates did what I wanted but I wanted another challenge. So I went to another building and they didn't want to do as I wanted cause I was new. So I found some rules in the rule book and used them to my advantage and played mental games with them. I told them no talking during chow and they said I was the only one who says that. It doesn't matter if you're the only one who says it it matters that you said it and they didn't listen. I know it may sound petty but if you have them listening to the small things you tell them you have control and it will be a easy day. But they have to listen and no matter what as long as your right stick to your guns it shows weakness if you back down.
One of the main thing is respect them cause they're human and I know I did some of the stuff they did when I was younger. It's kind of hard to do but in order to get respect you have to give it. But don't be the only one giving it. It's been a rough couple weeks when I started this new building but its a dorm setting with 70 inmates on bunk beds. But if I go on that quad they know how I am and they know if they listen to me I won't bother them. But something you will have to do if figure out who (inmate wise) runs the building and if you have to make an example out of them. One thing no one likes is being taken out of their comfort zone. His bed/room is his so if someone wants to show off you move them so you can look right them all the time.
You have to have fun and I love staring contest cause after about 10 second if they don't look away I will wink at them and you will get a reaction either you will call their bluff or its on lol. Sometimes I'll just ask them "are you OK?"
"Respect all, fear none"
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I've read the prison employees union on Cali has quite a bit of political clout and great pensions police fire and teachers are the only jobs left with decent retirement pensions
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There are alot of CDCR employees so ide imagine that if they say something political, they say it pretty loud and it's well heard.
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I've been with Delaware's department of corrections for 8 years now. Granted Delaware doesn't have the gang problem as CA. And you have to be a little crazy to do it every day. And you can either be a nice guy (which I'll get to later) or you can be a hard as nails guy. Whichever you choose it will make your day, if you choose to be a hard butt you will have a rough day and possibility put yourself in danger and you have to earn the respect from the inmates and keep it. It's a constant mental game you have to play.
If you become a softy you won't have the respect from the inmates nor will you have it from your fellow brothers in blue. The inmates will pick you apart and will get what they want and when you finally tell them no, the inmates will be upset and it will only cause more problems for you and others.
When I first started I was a softy thinking the inmates were my friends. We call this manipulation, they even asked me to bring in drugs cause I was nice. I was in the lifers building and they didn't give me a problem so I was relaxed and was friendly to them but I was their main link to the outside and they tried me. After that it changed me and I knew I was just a "cop" and they used my niceness against me. I changed shifts and buildings to start over and became a not so nice c/o.
After a year of that I changed prisons all together were I ran my own building and it was me vs 70. Usually 1vs 35 during chow and rec. But I ran it and I ran it the way I wanted, never had to get physical with anyone I have sprayed a few but never got into a fight with one. You have to think they can take you at anytime but you can't let that keep you from doing your job.
You will have a tough job and you can't go right in guns blazing you have to earn your respect just like the inmates earn theirs from each other. That badge on your chest doesn't mean they can't touch you and they will do what you want. You have to earn that and you will have to keep earning it everyday. Once you make yourself known you will get a younger knuckle head who will want to try you. And they love for c/me to lose their cool so they will try to make you snap. Don't give them that satisfaction
I recently changed buildings again cause the one that I ran became too boring, it was nice cause the inmates did what I wanted but I wanted another challenge. So I went to another building and they didn't want to do as I wanted cause I was new. So I found some rules in the rule book and used them to my advantage and played mental games with them. I told them no talking during chow and they said I was the only one who says that. It doesn't matter if you're the only one who says it it matters that you said it and they didn't listen. I know it may sound petty but if you have them listening to the small things you tell them you have control and it will be a easy day. But they have to listen and no matter what as long as your right stick to your guns it shows weakness if you back down.
One of the main thing is respect them cause they're human and I know I did some of the stuff they did when I was younger. It's kind of hard to do but in order to get respect you have to give it. But don't be the only one giving it. It's been a rough couple weeks when I started this new building but its a dorm setting with 70 inmates on bunk beds. But if I go on that quad they know how I am and they know if they listen to me I won't bother them. But something you will have to do if figure out who (inmate wise) runs the building and if you have to make an example out of them. One thing no one likes is being taken out of their comfort zone. His bed/room is his so if someone wants to show off you move them so you can look right them all the time.
You have to have fun and I love staring contest cause after about 10 second if they don't look away I will wink at them and you will get a reaction either you will call their bluff or its on lol. Sometimes I'll just ask them "are you OK?"
"Respect all, fear none"
Irish, thank you! I was pretty sure we had one officer here, I thought it was you but wasn't sure. That is the exact answer I was looking for, an honest look into it from someone who is there everyday. I know growing up with and around cops has made me pretty tough and sometimes I can be a jack wagon. I try to be cool and nice with the techs at work, but when there's an issue and they act like 6 year olds, I can be a total hard ass and they hate that cuz I raise heck to make the situation right. It's not a prison, it's a shop, I understand that, but there are things that are correct and there are thing that are unacceptable, I don't tolerate the unacceptable. I always try and give them the benefit of the dought first tho, they are the professionals but some times we get a few that act like kids fighting over the last juice box lol. Bottom line is, there is the right way and there's the wrong way and we dedicate our work to the right way, not the half assed way. Maybe I'm wrong for that, maybe not, I don't know. Seams to work so far. Cars get fixed right and the customers are happy.
Thanks again for your awesome response and insight.
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Most of the time it does feel like I'm watching 6 year olds. If you give them an inch they will take a mile and they will always take that mile. About one out of the group will say "hey you left this unlocked" or what ever. You will have honest inmates and you will have ones who are just waiting for you to turn your back. When I first started I would treat them all like honest but as time went by I saw more and more of them playing games. Again our prisons sent like overe there we have the bloods, some ms13, juggalos, might run into some skin heads but the biggest is the Muslims. Most time they will just fight it out with their fist. Over there you have all them biker gangs bloods and crips who will fight it out with shanks and blades.
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Then you have dirty c/o that make the rest of us look bad. They break the rules just to make a few extra bucks but the cell phone or drugs they bring in give the inmates access to face book were they can find you and use that information to extort you or threaten your family. Then you have the c/o who only take the job to be able to tell others what do do and dare them to speak up. I see it even with officers who get rank just so they could tell officers what to do. I like to go to work and it runs smoothly I like for the inmates to keep noise low and I don't like to hear myself speak to them repeating myself everyday. Like I said before you have to be a little nuts to want to do this job cause you will see things and they will stick in your mind for the rest of your life. I go in with a smile and want to leave smiling I don't enforce every little rule but then ones I enforce if they aren't followed I will speak up and let them know. Most times its just a game they play to see what they can do
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Well I'm already pretty screwy in the head so I got the nuts thing covered. As for their games, I totally expect that, it's a prison after all, they are in there for a reason, they aren't chilling in a library haha.
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I got an uncle that was high up at a sheriffs dept
He said if he had a deputy who they wanted to get rid of but didn't have enough to fire um. They would put him working midnight shift at the jail and they'd quit after a few weeks
I have a niece that started as a prison guard and is now probation officer
She was the only female guard at the prison
Said she hardly ever had any issues with the inmates. But it was mostly non violent inmates. DUIs. And stuff like that
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Most time women don't have a problem. It either the inmates look at her as a mother figure or they're trying to manipulate her. I spent 6-7 years on 12-8 its not real bad cause the inmates for the most part are asleep
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Roundhouse, during my dad's 15 year or so stint as a Sheriff, he worked patrol, detectives, court room baliff and county prison guard. He liked them all.
Irish, a night shift position I thought would be interesting. I'm sure if this working out and I'm around for along time then I'll probably try it, but this early in the game it's just a thought. Plus the women folk like it when you come home and relax and spend time with them and keep them warm at night. Lol
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yes after the 6 years of being on 12x8 i finally put aside my wants vs my wifes wants and its easier to sleep in the same bed at night then it is me sleeping in the day light. my son now ask why d i have to go to work cause he never knew me to work just i would leave at 10pm and be home by time he woke up then i would sleep but to him o was only gone for a few hours, now im gone half the day. its very easy on 12x8 but in the academy i weighted 240 after a couple months on 12x8 i weighted 260. i stayed right around there since then but its not healthy mentally and physically on 12x8, but at the same time its less stressful only dealing with the inmates during breakfast and maybe a handful that are up at night
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Yea I would be in big trouble with her if I purposely chose night shift.
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Welcome!! I retired from the Federal Prison System. I live in Phoenix, based out of Redwood city. Lompoc, Long Beach. You name it, I covered the western section section from Washington to Colorado. My job was great!! I travelled throughout institution's upgrading security systems, implementing old technology with new. I was my own boss. Stay away from, Pelican bay, San Quinton.
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That sounds sweet! Thanks for the reply. Why do I need to stay away from Pelican bay, San Q?
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You don't watch gangland?
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That would require a some kind of TV service, being an antenna tv user, I don't watch alot of tv. What I do watch is at my gf's house and one of her family members is usually in control of the remote so I just sit enjoy the feature presentation ha.
So really, why?
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Cause they teach you about gangs and how to identify gang members along with their territory.
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Oh nice. Yea maybe I should watch that. So I'm guessing San Q has all of those big ones then?
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Oh nice. Yea maybe I should watch that. So I'm guessing San Q has all of those big ones then?
i almost want to say most gangs start off or are in cali.
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Oh nice. Yea maybe I should watch that. So I'm guessing San Q has all of those big ones then?
i almost want to say most gangs start off or are in cali.
That I believe no dought.
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I worked my way through college/law school as a c/o. It was only for a few years, and it was about 20 years ago but I learned an incredible amount about human nature and myself in that job. As Irish said, they can smell if you are "shaky" (soft), but being a hard ass will cause even more problems. The only guy I worked with who got sent to the ER was a former marine who didn't know how to avoid confrontation. You have to learn how to give the inmate an option and still maintain control over the situation. You learn how to use your voice, how to read a dayroom, how to carry yourself, etc. All of these things have come in handy in the courtroom.
Good Luck!
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Harcorshe, thank you for your reply. That is good information and from what I have heard, it's also what I expected to hear. There is, I believe, some give and take. It's definitely something I'm going to have to learn over time, I do think I carry myself pretty well tho. What state were you a c/o in?
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If you walk around with your chest out and arms spread someone will try to see how you're built.
I have some inmates that will respect my word and I give them respect right back. If they want to try me I can start enforcing every little rule and make their stay more fun. I tell them if they keep the noise down and listen to me then I'll let things slide. But if they don't want to do that then they will have my full attention till they realize "hey all I have to do is keep quiet and this guy will leave me alone "
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Harcorshe, thank you for your reply. That is good information and from what I have heard, it's also what I expected to hear. There is, I believe, some give and take. It's definitely something I'm going to have to learn over time, I do think I carry myself pretty well tho. What state were you a c/o in?
Memphis. I grew up there and then moved to D.C., then L.A. (Santa Monica), now Denver.
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Harcorshe, cool. Only place I haven't been is Denver. Been to the other 3 tho.
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Irish. Exactly. Similar with the techs here, do it right, little stuff goes under the rug. Keep doing half butt jobs, I'm gonna knit pick everything.
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Well it has been a very long time since I have popped in here for this. I have an update.
In the beginning of January I applied with my counties Sheriff's department for a Deputy Sheriff Custodial position. This really is just being a basic a deputy, but no gun and working in the county jail.
Last Friday, the 18th, I received an email from the CDC scheduling me for their written exam on April 5th. This is the very first step in their hiring process. That shows how long the process takes.
Well today I had my physical agility exam for the SO. It's only been 3 months since I applied there and I've already completed one of their tests. They informed me that the written exam date for them is also on April 5th.
So observing the two departments processes and speed of completions. I have decided to cancel my appointment with the CDC and continue with the SO.
My plan is to get hired, work as long as required to complete the probationary period. Then as soon as they allow, I will apply for their police academy so I can hopefully become a full time Deputy Sheriff just like my dad was. My mom was police officer for a town in this county also, the town I grew up in.
There are a few other benefits that go along with staying in this county insteaf of having to most likely relocate for the CDC.
-closet to home
-family is here
-girlfriend is here
-I'm happy here, I have spent my whole life in this area.
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Wow! That's awesome! Congratulations! Nothing like pursuing what you know and love! Family and known surroundings are usually always what motivates our decisions. Law enforcement is a good career. I have the utmost respect for law enforcement. Keep us posted on your progress and I wish you the best!
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i know i had to wait at least 6 months before i heard anything back from DOC. i think its so they know you really want the job and not just a pay check. here latley i been thinking of going back to 12-8 cause my boy is in school now and he has t ball which im missing cause of work. and ive also been thinking about the sheriffs department back in my home town/county. a little more pay but my time in would reset, as it stands now i can retire when im around 45-48. but that might be young, so also think about retirement while youre looking at the job
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Thanks AZ. Trust me, police officers everywhere appreciate your support. I fly a Fallen Police Officer's flag on the flag pole in my front yard, just under the good ole red, white & blue.
Irish, California is trying to hire 3,000 new officers. It's just a slow process. My girlfriend knows someone who went with the CDC and from the time he applied to began working was 3 years. If my process went like that, I could be already have over a year under my belt at the SO, gone thru the academy and possible already be working the street. If I was forced to pick, I would pick the SO. Plus having my dad use to work there is important to me also. He's tickled pink at me pursuing this. He and my mom used to work with another deputy who is now our current Sheriff. He's been Sheriff for a long while now and people really like him. I like him, I'm excited to serve under someone who used to work with my parents. Plus I didn't want to make my girlfriend have to choose between her family and me if I had to relocate for CDC, which I'm sure probably would have happened eventually. I'm sure she probably would have picked to move with me but then she would have to find a new job and it would be hard to be away from family because we both have fairly small families and no one really outside this area.
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I'd would rather be out in a patrol car in the country in a rural area than be a prison guard
My brother was a deputy for 28 years and my father was a forest ranger for 34 years
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round i have to agree, when i first started i did a ride around with a local cop. he said he could never do my job, i couldnt figure out why. back then i was thinking everyone i meet is a "bad" guy the justice system found them guilty and all i have to do is babysit. now 9 years later im still seeing the same "bad" guys and no "good" guys or good deeds. its always negative and something someone does is normally to set something else up.
ive found popped razors on inmates (in a dorm room setting with 70 inmates) and i have to write them up. 9 times out of 10 they say its not theirs but its in their area so theyre guilty. but im seeing more and more of "set-ups" on inmates from other inmates rather its they want that inmates job (they planted a shank on his bed) or they plant a popped razor to get them kicked out of the program. the program is for drug rehab and any class 1 offence can get you kicked out, i love the program cause the inmates will run the quad like officers. if i have to say something about noise or people being off limits it looks bad on the inmate running the floor. well this one inmate who did what he was supposed to caused him to have a few enemies so they planted a razor on him. i did a random shakedown on him and found it, i have no choice but to write him up, they pack his stuff and send him to the hole (failure to complete a required program) for his hearing he has a right to confront his accuser (which is me). this guy used to run him mouth in front of other inmates and i didnt like him so in my mind hes guilty. only when its just the hearing officer, inmate and me do i really get to see his true side. he starts crying and you can see the will to live be sucked out of his body as i told my side and we cant just say "oh lets just drop it down to a class 2" cause next guy we catch we would have to do the same thing. but i made a promise to him i would fight to get the program coordinators to take him back. he needs this program, if he doesnt get it he faces 8 years with it its less than 2.
then the guy who got the shank planted on him. hes a real tool, i dont like him and only his fellow Muslims like him. we had a few fall outs and ive written him up cause he runs his mouth all the time. last fall out we had i asked him if he sees a pattern between me and him, i then tell him every time he runs his mouth he catches a write up. now this guy has accused me of being racist and ive even had the chance to fire him from being a food cart worker but im not looking to take jobs i just want to run thing and have control over them. well ever since out little talk we have kind of come to a truths and if i say something he doesnt question it. other inmates have been trying to get me to write him up for petty stuff but since he doesnt run his mouth anymore i dont have a problem with him. well the inmates still have a problem and wanted his job (pretty sure it was a DMI gang related incident) well long story short one inmate tells the officer "hey i saw a orange thing under inmates mattress while i has just hanging out over there" . officer shakes him down finds a shank made out of 2 tooth brushes and a razor. inmate is sent to the hole and is fired. that was till a day ago when he was found not guilty and sent back to the same bed and same job.
theres just a bunch of games inmates play and you have to decide if its the truth or a game. someones life could be at risk or it could have other intentions. i dont get to see everyday people and interact with them. i have inmate "friends" but i know they just want to use me for something and you have to keep your head on a swivel at all times
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I am doing this to gain experience on the "inside" side of law enforcement. Plus, it's a position inside the department I want to be at, then when I'm ready and able to apply for the academy, I'm hoping they will look back on my work up to that point and see how I try to do my best every day and how I enjoy it and work with the people around me and that will show them I want to be on the street. So then I stand out against others also trying to get in the academy. There are alot of different positions in the department just on the Corrections side which is what I'm applying for is the Corrections division of the department. Hopefully one day I'll make it to patrol.
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There are many pros and cons between working inside and on the road. I work in a state prison and on the road part-time for a city PD. For me working inside is easy and there are many more promotional opportunities. Working on the road helps keep things fresh for me by mixing up the day to day. You will find out what you like. Good luck!
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Thanks Cheyenne20. I can't wait.