Topic: The Club House / Hopeful CDCR Counselor with a Pressing Problem

I can’t speak of CAs rules on it, but where I am I don’t see it messing you up. The best advice I can tell you is to be forthcoming with it during an interview. Be open with them as to what happened and don’t try to hide anything. After all they can/will have legal documentation readily available to them. I personally don’t see where it would affect you but I am on the floor and not in a hiring job.

Topic: The Club House / New Career

Welcome to the field both of you.

okie covered a lot of it. Being new you will be tested. Everyday. For me I have found the best approach to be fair and honest about everything. As I saw stated above inmates have 24/7 to think about everything. They see and hear everything and a lot of em have a good memory too. If you are honest with them (not saying about your personal life, keep anything not at work away from work) they can’t come back and catch you in a lie. Combine this with being fair in your job and more often than not you will be respected by both your peers and the population. If you don’t know something I have found it is better to say “I don’t know” rather than lie (half the time they already know and this is a test of your character to them as well). If you tell someone “I’ll look into it” or “I’ll let you know” do it, be a man of your word.

The reason I add this is, atleast where I work, when you are making your rounds you can be outnumbered by upwards of 40 to 1. I have had other Inmates step in and tell some that were getting mouthy to do as I told them or to not give me any crap. Respect can make the job easier and is better earned through fairness and honesty than by flexxing your muscles. It also goes a long way into feeling more confident than when it hits the fan your teammates will have your back without hesitation.

I am also on our ERT team. As Mick said, it adds another dimension to the job and a whole lot more excitement. If you like the job and feel confident I would encourage you into looking into the special positions available.