I'm deeply considering going into Corrections at a local prison. But I have a few misgivings about it. Even though it IS in Southern prisons, which tend to have CO's that are a little meaner than the Northern versions & get away with a whole lot more (the good ole boy system is STILL pretty deep down here, from what i've observed so far).
One, I'm getting OLD. I finally hit 40 and I don't like it, and I've picked up a few pounds. Getting fat is annoying, so I decided on getting back into fighting trim. Looking at some of the local CO's...in 3 months I'll be in way better shape than quite a few of 'em.
Two, I really don't like crooks. The temptation to give a child molester H-E-double-toothpick with a Maglight or just out him to the other inmates would be pretty high. I can safely say that they wouldn't want me as a "floor-walker". BUT, how to put that so they'd hire me, yet keep me far, far away from the inmates??
Three, I've been watching some of the "Prison Tapes"/"Supermax" shows where prisoners become problematic, and I start thinking, why fight nice?? Go ahead with the kill/maim strikes on crooks...but then I think, well, the first time or two would be "in the heat of the fight", but after that they'd start looking at me funny because every time I got in a fight with a prisoner, someone would be terminal or dang near it. Or is that expected? (before anyone asks, I've got almost three decades of training & fights behind me, if I have to maim/kill someone with a few strikes, it's done)
Four...how can I best explain that it would be best just to stick me in a tower with a rifle and they wouldn't have to worry about anyone getting out by climbing the fence, day or night. I'd be happy in a tower Especially if someone tried to escape occasionally...
Or should I $#itcan the whole idea of being a CO and consider getting a Medical Officer to rubberstamp/waiver my old injuries and go back in the Army ??
__________________ Marlin & Calico Specialist
I'm not just Trigger Happy, I'm Trigger Ecstatic!!
If you don't mind a pan of shit thrown on you ever so often then go a head on. You'll learn quick not to mess with the inmates...They will get you back. Be cool and you might be alright.
My son put himself through college the second go round by working the Grave yard shift.
Our County Jail is about as big as a prison and holds inmates from other countys.
He loved it and he loved the fights he got into, but he didn't start any of them.
So get in shape because your day will come when you have to duke it out and it will happen more often than you want probable.
I wouldn't mind working security at a Wal Mart...A.H
__________________ IN GOD WE TRUST NRA MEMBER
Last edited by ArkansasHunter; 07-24-2009 at 12:56 AM.
A Corrections Officer Job is not what many think... you have to constantly remind yourself that while true these guys that are in there are degenerates and some really bad people, they have already been convicted by judge or jury and it is not up to you pass further judgement. It is also their house so to speak, you just come on and off shift, they live there 24/7 and it would be wise to give them a little respect as such.
I am not saying that I dont agree that I wouldnt like givin' a maglite treatment to some pedophile myself, but I am also not a prison gaurd and wouldnt want the job. I know some former CO's and its one of those jobs that takes a real special person to really stick with it and most burn out quick.
I would think real hard and see what you come up with before taking it. I'm not you though, and you may be perfect for the job, I would just look into it a little more.
Best of luck with whatever endeavor you choose I'm sure you will do great!
__________________ Most of my life I've spent hunting,... the rest of it I've just wasted
I'm thinking I'd be fine in a tower...but on the floor with 'em all the time...it wouldn't be long before I went off. I don't think I'd be able to handle that part.
Question is, how to GET a tower assignment or something else where I wouldn't have to deal with the probability of "Doing a Dexter" and offing some of those poor schmoes, and likely getting into a world of squishy myself...?
I'd prefer to go back in the Army, but the wifey ain't real happy with that idea...she knows the life a little too well because of her dad. She wants to stay PUT where we are...but the job quotient is starting to suck hardcore around here.
__________________ Marlin & Calico Specialist
I'm not just Trigger Happy, I'm Trigger Ecstatic!!
A old partner and friend started in corrections, he hated it. As AH said some of the things he had thrown at him was wicked. Its not for every body. Some inmates can reach out from prison making it very dangerous for you and your family.
You would be more apt to have trouble in a tower than anyplace else If you have military experience you know that there is a time to fire but most of the time you hold fire.And there is only a fraction of a second to decide. ,,,sam.
I'm starting to think Border Patrol or ATF would be more my style...
I love the chase
B'sides, gotta do something with these CJ degrees...
Sounds like BP would be the way to go for ya, I have a lot of friends who are CO's, and if ya already know how you'll react in certain situations why go out of your way to put yourself in them? I know a few BP agents also from my time at Camp Pendelton, it's often very solitary and boring but when it aint that it's VERY exciting from what I hear
__________________
" This house is protected by the good Lord, and a gun......."
Sounds to me like you'd be going in with a chip on your shoulder, looking for trouble.
I maybe haven't learned a whole lot in my life that's useful, but I've learned this and guarantee it to be true: you get back from people what you expect from them, and what you make room and a path for.
I would suggest you look for another line of work instead.
first thing to learn about working in a prison is you have to learn the state laws for which you want to operate in. for instance ( its been 10 years so i dont know of any changes)in louisiana you are alloud to use force when necessary based on levels and you are alloud to elevate it above the force being used against you.
when an inmate is attempting to escape you shoot him in the back unlike police. this is because as a corrections officer you are charged with preventing the incarcerated with commiting another felony which escaping is . if you where a police officer and you shot someone in the back there would be hell to pay.
tower duties are the simplest duties as you sit up there and you are locked in and the only way to get in is through the only door and the only key to that door is usually lowered down to you by the gaurd you will replace via rope. you then unlock the door enter close the door and lock it from the inside and clime the latters while the soon to be relieved gaurd hoists up the key. then you count each round in the magazine and make your log entries and the other gaurd leaves after briefing you ( if there is anything to brief)
most post orders for towers state very clearly when you will and wont fire and there will be no doubt of what constitutes required action.
now if you are a tough guy you can try out for cell entry and find out how tough you are but remember not only is the training NOT fun the real events are not either. Many times the dogs get brought in because a 350lb inmate that can pick up small cars will whine like a baby in front of a K9 officer . otherwise there is the business of shockshields and batons and a lot of men in a tiny area .
you will often find in corrections that inmates will keep other inmates in line too because of loss of privledges pisses everyone off.
for the most part though if you go there with a chip on your shoulder it will get knocked off as many senior officers and wardens will trust inmates more than new officers.
it is all about how you as a person treat them. if you treat them firm but fair your problems will be minimal but if your like super stud and want to prove something you will easily find charges brought up on you (they can be civil or criminal depending on violation alleged)
working in female and minor corrections is a lot worse because of more politics and allegations btw (and you really wont think any of those women are atractive after a single day ).
oh and usually they assign women tower positions when they can if there are female guards.
I used to deliver potatoes to SoCal prisons. and after seeing the same CO people weekly, they opened up a little and told me about working conditions at some of the facilities.
The prisons are underfunded and understaffed, they never knew when they would be working a double shift, and could not turn down extra shifts.
With the Ca budget in a tailspin, they had to take a 10% pay cut and work extra hours. They were in the same boat as the inmates, but they were allowed to go home at night!
It made me like my driving job a lot more.
I would strongly advise you to do something else!
I used to deliver potatoes to SoCal prisons. and after seeing the same CO people weekly, they opened up a little and told me about working conditions at some of the facilities.
The prisons are underfunded and understaffed, they never knew when they would be working a double shift, and could not turn down extra shifts.
With the Ca budget in a tailspin, they had to take a 10% pay cut and work extra hours. They were in the same boat as the inmates, but they were allowed to go home at night!
It made me like my driving job a lot more.
I would strongly advise you to do something else!
its that bad out in california right now?
the real way to go is get 2-5 years experiance then get a job working fedral prison. at least thats how it was 10 years ago
Corrections 
Especially if someone tried to escape occasionally...
....
