Topic: The Club House / Starting Career in Corrections

Most larger agencies have “internships,” paid or otherwise. There are also “sponsorships.” These are good ways to get a foot in the door, especially at the larger agencies.Short of this, I would concentrate on finishing my degree first. But a meaningful internsgip could produce a job upon graduation, no mean feat in today’s economy.

Topic: Security Central / Which cell extraction methods work best?

RI or Connecticut DOC still use dogs.

Topic: Letter of The Law / Personal Phone calls?

Personal phone calls are fine until/unless they compromise security.

Topic: Security Central / Covering Obs Cell camera's

We also confiscate if they don’t comply. We will leave them with nothing if we have to. Then the really bad ones break the sprinkler head.

Topic: Security Central / Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) training? Any policies?

Initial certification requires Level 2 or higher exposure. Annual recertification, but you generally only get exposed once. Punch 3 is current brand. Spray is best, foam in Hospital areas to reduce accidental contamination. Clear Out (OC plus CS tear gas,) used by SWAT (SRT) for serious riot situations.

Topic: Everything Education / just applied?

Our county jail is harder to get on than many PD’s, which gives the recruiters heartburn. Every agency is different.

Topic: Everything Education / Career Question

Check with your states certifying authority to see if you are disqualified or can even be certified, much less hired. Varies state to state.

Topic: Tech Talk / Digital TV conversions

Try getting a bulk discount via Radio Shack or Best Buy. Also, Feds might have some funding left over for this, or Stimulus money.

Topic: Health & Wellness / Should HIV testing be mandatory at intake?

YES!!!

Topic: Economy & Stimulus / Stimulus Package Response

This is one of the most socailistic societies in history. Especially since the late 50’s. That is when corporate and governmental interests began to merge. Eisenhower warned us of this in his last speech. Don’t believe me? Try to start a car company, drill for oil, sell cars or firearms, manage a bank, etc. Very difficult, very highly regulated, no margin for error. Nurses spend 70% of their time pushing meds and doing paperwork. Not nursing. And government takes more and more control of more and more everyday activities. EVERYBODY demands a safety net. NOBODY wants to pay for it. So taxes increase and disappear into that swamp known as the “general fund.” We are anation of whiners. And we deserve to subsidize stupidity as our government begins to resemble France or Italy. Who cares if we have sold our grandchildren (typically about twenty to thirty years in the future,) into abject poverty with a marginal tax rate which rivals England? Most of us will be dead by then. And,. after all, WE GOT OURS. Most believe that that is all that matters. So give me my XBOX and my IPHONE and my new HONDA and a bigger HOUSE and fork them over now! Because the world owes me a living, right???

Topic: Health & Wellness / do we need to increase HIV prevention in prison?

I believe in MANDATORY, COMPULSORY testing!

Topic: Security Central / How many gangs are in your facility?

3 or 4 active. Representatives of atleast 50. 80% of those who rep are posers, though. Lots of fakes.

Topic: The Club House / Looking Professional

I have personally witnessed inates target an Officer based upon his appearance. He was percieved as weak and unprepared.

Topic: Health & Wellness / Benefits of Yoga

The Hatha power yoga almost killed me! Great workout! With this and cardio you could probably give up weightlifting.

Topic: Tech Talk / relaunched in open source?

Try a different forum.

Topic: Security Central / Best way to handle unruly inmate

It’s nice to be flexible, but indecision can kill. If you have committed to a planned use of force and thought it through properly, there better not be any “modification” of your plan or intentions. Otherwise your waffling will get a brother or sister Officer hurt.

Topic: The Club House / New hire physical question.

High blood pressure seems to be extremely common in this field. Diabetes is also fairly common. As long as it’s controlled, most agencies will hire you. Stay fit!!!

Topic: Everything Education / Hospitalized Inmates getting visits?

Absolutely, positively NO.

Topic: A Broader View / Is it really as negative as it sounds?

Corrections, like most things in life, is what you make of it. Like everything else, it’s 90% attitude and respect. And it’s much easier if you generally like people and are outgoing. At the same time, a little paranoia is helpful, because being paranoid DOES NOT mean that they are’nt out to get you. Because they are. Everyday. So a strong, balanced personality, strong values and a higher faith will generally get you through the rough spots. But don’t EVER kid yourself: no matter how experienced or knowledgeable you get, inmates will ALWAYS be better at deception an dmanipulation than you are. Because it comes naturally to them. And that’s how they survive and even make a living. Good habits and discipline early on can prevent a world of problems later.

Topic: Economy & Stimulus / Shift Happens

In the time that I’ve spent in Corrections, I’ve seen tremendous changes, especially when it is a technology which allows administrators to reduce staffing and improve productivity.

Topic: Health & Wellness / Are COs tested yearly for TB?

We are tested annually where I work in Florida. Also can be tested if an exposure is suspected.

Topic: Security Central / Control Tactics

Floridamaintains a standard DT curriculum and we must refresh/recertify annually. That being said, it’s basically watered down Aikido. Specialists typically study Krav Maga and will attend the Gracie School of Groundfighting. Additionally, advanced DT instructors that I know like Brazilian JuJitsu, but acknowledge that Shoto Kun or even Tai Kwon Do could be more helpful in mob situations, when taking an inmate to the ground isn’t your best option.

Topic: Security Central / KEY CONTROL

Murder one’s have become passe’; routinely go to GP if they are well behaved. 40 to 80 inmates and one Officer in an open dorm is fairly routine here. Two Officers if the numbers get high in GP or for Max inmates. Three officers on certain floors if the numbers get high enough. Typically anywhere from 16 to 48 inmates percell, 2 to 4 cells per unit, excepting “Special Management.” These numbers are for confinement units only. Direct Supervision units go as high as 200.

Topic: Security Central / Training for Special Recreations Team

Don’t you mean “Special Response Team?” Also, greetings Major Blank!

Topic: Juvenile Jam / gang assessment

The only method that has proven to be atleast marginally effective is segregation, best example is Connecticut DOC. They HATE being segregated, not by affiliation, but simplydue to the fact of membership in ANY gang.