Topic: The Club House / Does work sometimes conflict with home life?

I would think security cameras would also be a help when an inmate has an accusation. I have seen COs take an inmate into the head or a closet where there are no cameras to “have a talk with them.” I always have concerns because the inmate could accuse them of anything and there is no video to protect the CO. All security would see is the CO taking the inmate into an area where there is no camera.

Topic: The Club House / Just starting out

Congratulations! I am sure you are learning a lot. I am a drug and alcohol counselorin a correctional setting, and have a lot of respect for corrections officers. The female COs have challenges that the males don’t necessarily have, but good for you! I have seen some female COs who are very good at what they do.

Topic: The Club House / Just starting out

Congratulations! I am sure you are learning a lot. I am a drug and alcohol counselorin a correctional setting, and have a lot of respect for corrections officers. The female COs have challenges that the males don’t necessarily have, but good for you! I have seen some female COs who are very good at what they do.

Topic: The Club House / New Treatment Staff- advice?

Thanks for your input. I am learning new things all the time. I do watch both COs and treatment staff and how they interact with the inmates. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with a variety of staff right now and am learning alot from their different styles. I am asking many for feedback and most say they feel I am doing well. I know there is much to learn and I especially like talking to security staff because I learn so much from them.

Topic: The Club House / New Treatment Staff- advice?

Thank you- good advice. I agree about shortcuts. You are right that what you learn at the training academy is very different than what you see in day-to-day operations. This week I worked with a couple COs that were excellent. I really respect the approach they used with the inmates and I do think they are like-minded. I talked to them for awhile and they were more willing to offer helpful answers and their views than the staff I have been working with. I really wanted this so it is hard to be treated as an outsider, but as you said, I guess the trust and respect from them will come in time.

Topic: The Club House / Just starting out

Okay- you’ve been in the job almost a year… how is it going? What are the most important things you’ve learned in the past year?

Topic: The Club House / Co-Workers

I was interested in this topic because I am new and also find this “culture” to be like any other I have experienced. I expected to be burned by inmates. I did not expect to be burned by staff. Instead of helping new staff, they go to the supervisor. The supervisor tells me they say I’m not doing things right but he can’t/won’t give me examples. I can’t fix what I don’t know. I feel like I am blindfolded and my hands are tied, and I am being told to fix what’s before me, but they won’t let me see what it is. I was very excited to come on board. Most days now, I wonder who I can trust. I AM asking staff to give me feedback- that I will not be offended… that I recognize they have more experience working in this setting than I have. I think an institution would be most secure when more seasoned staff help new employees become their best. I am not seeing this .I am feeling disillusioned.

Topic: The Club House / New Treatment Staff- advice?

I am a new (female) employee in a correctional facility that houses male and female inmates. I work with the male inmates in a therapeutic community setting as a drug and alcohol counselor. I have worked in mental health agencies for years and have also worked both inpatient and outpatient D & A treatment. I was excited to get the position because I wanted something challenging where I could learn new things. I have 2 questions: 1) What is the best advice anyone gave you when you were new to working in corrections? 2) Did you find that staff had trouble welcoming in and mentoring new staff? (It seems new staff have to prove themselves.) Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. By the way, I am asking my co-workers for feedback too. Thanks!