Topic: Economy & Stimulus / Shift Happens

well, considering that in the 5+ years that I’ve been in corrections That I havent really seen that many advances, Im not holding that high of expectations. SUPPOSEDLY, the housing units are going to be switched over to desktops from the outdated computer system that we’re currently useing, but that hasn’t happened either. FOr me it’s a believe it when I see it thing.

Topic: Letter of The Law / Can we deny inmates access to newspapers, magazines as an incentive for better behavior?

Man, things are changing here. Now this is happening in my facility. In our single man ad-seg unit (we have 2 units) they get : 1 pants, whirt, boxers, socks, and hygene, 1 magazine, and newspaper. If they have A book, they can exchange it when the books come around, maybe once a week. This has changed from the way it used to be. I walked in one day and saw our responce team suited up and looking tired. I guess that was the day they went in and took out all the walkmans. LOL From what I heard these changes are coming to the 2-man cell ad-seg unit (where I work). SOme of the changes are already happening, like the mail. I heard from the FUM (function unit manager) that the walkmans are deffinately going. Hope I’m there that day. Should be interesting. I can already hear the “whoosh” of the mace cans going off!

Topic: Health & Wellness / Mandated CPR On Inmates: Good Or Not So Good?

its mandated here. It has been ever since I started, almost 6 years ago. Not once in that time have I heard of a CO not starting CPR. Now I have heard several times on the radio, “housing unit# contact medical and have them respond immediately”. Our medical isnt the fastest responders. We are issues masks that have a one way valve, but there is also an inflateible sealing ring like the ambu-bag masks have. These masks can be attached to the bag if needed. but the little stem used to inflate the ring is easy to break. In about a year I have broken about 2 or 3. Not from use, but from general abuse from being on my duty belt. As for me personally. I think I would be one to start CPR. I know the risks involved, but I also know that I’m the kind of person that would HAVE to do something in that situation. Guess I’m just a glutton for punishment.

Topic: The Club House / Greetings from a fellow Canadian Officer

Welcome. Feel free to ask. Send some questions my way if you want. What shakey said is the truth. I have gone to a few different facilities to interview for promotion, and when the interview was finished I asked for a tour. And just about everytime I got a tour. Asking can’t hurt.

Topic: The Club House / Working 3 to 11 Shift

3-11 here, live in missouri….. get home about an hour later usually

Topic: The Club House / Wanting to relocate

At the risk of sounding dumb, whats TYC? Texas Youth Corrections?

Topic: The Club House / If corrections had a slogan what would it be?

Corrections Officer

We walk where angels fear to go, and demons are afraid of.

Welcome to Hotel Hell, Your cellie is waiting for you.

Topic: The Club House / Women working in Corrections

OMG!!!!!! I never said ANYTHING of the sort. WHat I said was actually a compliment.

Kinda hard to cut the strings when "momma"is in a completely diferent state huh…… LOL, oh well. I guess some people dont realize that some types of sarcasim just doesnt transfer well on the internet….me included.

A CO AND a bounty hunter? How does you state look at that? Here its really frowned upon… to the point that theres no one that i know of that does both. How many have you come across that you have captured in the prison? And how did that work out? Just curious.

Topic: The Club House / Wanting to relocate

I’ve lived in the same place for 8-9 years, and have been a CO here for almost 6 yrs. I hate to say this, but I love the job. I want to stay in the field, BUT, I want to GTFO this state. The economy being what it is combined with how little the state pays us, I cant afford to move across town. Last year I heard that Wyoming was doing paid relocations, but my wife wants to move east. I was looking at NC, and TX, but my time served doesnt count. Any ideas where to look? I thought about the feds, but with bad credit I doubt they would hire me. Thanks in advance.

Topic: The Club House / Career in Corrections

No, it’s not a bad job. It’s not for everyone that decided to take it. I cant tell you how many times i’ve heard about people that go through the training and in less than 6 months to a year are gone. It’s crazy. And of those that do stay, they all pretty much say the same thing. " I needed a job." And that includes me.

It’s a easy/tough job. It’s as tough as you want to make it, and it’s as easy as you want to make it.
I work at a maximum security prison, and I wouldnt want to work in a lower level facility. It’s great.

So, if you’re up to working with smart-assed individuals who are always thinking and acting like their owed something and, are always bitching and moaning about not getting something, remember this. THere are inmates there too, Just kidding.

Its a fun job, and good luck getting it. Give it a year , and then decided if you’re going to stick with it. Thats what I did about 5-6 years ago.

Topic: The Club House / Women working in Corrections

I work in a maximun male facility. One of our Sgt.s is a woman, I’d gues she’s somewhere between 5’6"- 5’8". Most of her time in corrections has been spent in the Ad-Seg units. She’s one of the toughest officers that we have there. I have worked for her several times and each and everytime that I worked for her, I knew with out a doubt that she had my back. forgive the expression.. she’s one tough broad.

Topic: The Club House / New Career

wvco and daniel, welcome. I really cant add too much to what has already been said. It’s a whole other world behind the walls. As co-ert said, be a mna of your word. If you say you’re going to do something, do it. Don’t make promises. Giveing your word in there is a huge thing. Alot of the respect that you build with the inmates comes from wether or not you keep it.

Don’t go in with a “Billy Badass” attitude. How you walk onto the yard the first time is how the inmates will look at you from then on. Be yourself. Acting like your better than they are will only make things a whole lot harder from the start.

One thing I always tell the new hires that I help train is this: Our job isn’t to judge them, they have already been sentenced. Our job isn’t to make their time any harder that it already is, they will do that for us, just watch.

This is a job/career that can be as hard or as easy as you want it to be. What else can I say……. Good Luck, and keep us posted.