Started My New Job as a Corrections Officer. Looking for Advice From Experienced Individuals.

very stressful job

**They are NOT your friends
**They are NOT your friends
**They are NOT your friends
**They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends
**They are NOT your friends
**They are NOT your friends
**They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends
**They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends
**They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends **They are NOT your friends
'

Heard that multiple times today.

Yup, I was a CO at a state prison, just out of college, before I went to work at a PD.

The cons will test you, especially at first. They will start with little things in front of you to see if you will stop them or not. Like passing kites between cells, or asking you to pass items etc.

They will probably have a couple guys start an argument and see at what point you step in, how assertive you are, etc.

They will ask you to join a card game, act friendly, but they are always looking to get something on you. Never, ever, bet with cons, if you end up oweing them your screwed.

My time as a CO, paid huge dividends when I hit the street as a rookie cop, I could immediately tell who had done time before, and what kind of games ex-cons were trying to pull on the street.

I was also able to stumble into stolen cars, or potential robberies, when I saw ex-cons I recognized driving or hanging out in groups outside stores.

Why would you become a corrections officer?

What makes you think you have the right to cage people and tell people what to do? It is impossible not to break laws in the USA as there are so many. Even using a username that is not your real name and role playing is also felonies in this country.

My few pieces of advice

Trust no one.

Don't use excessive force if you don't have to. The inmates are people and if the prison conditions are too harsh, they will be even worse criminals when they get out. Your job is to correct them and their behavior so they can be better people when they get out.

Expect and be ready for anything, it's a harsh job.

Not myself, but family members have/are.

Your attitude is going change all around.

Try your best to check your workday at your front door. Each guy I know has had relationship/marital/family issues because of their nasty attitude from the job, and dealing with inmates.

Remember... your family and friends are not inmates... sounds obvious, but you'll see what I mean.

Congrats and thanks for your service

Listen to your coworkers and NOT the inmates.

22 years in it and counting. Worst decision I ever made....Terrible job and its not just the inmates . I believe your coworkers are -for the most part- one step above and at times worse than the inmate population..You will see.

Without saying this like you did, my training officer
pretty much said this in describing how your platoon is
your family inside, but some are not worth pissing on outside.

I heard that a lot today.

No should your favorite new word. Your newest phrashe is because i said so...


Followed by
"its almost like this place is a prison"


Ive beennon the job a few months
.. say no often and early now... it gets much easier once they realize they cant get anything from you.

You can offer help later to inamets who respect you... but make them understand that first

good post but if hes a guard why would he need to pay them if he lost the bet?

Thank u my friend.

Respect. The criminal element take that shit more seriously than most.
Also do not allow anyone to gain leverage on you ever, life lesson 501.

Do not ever discuss where you live or your family to any staff or inmates.
Make a fake family in another city.
Get off social media and have your family at least change their screen names.
BULLSHIT anybody who asks anything personal.
Do not leave personal info in car or locker.

Exactly, Welch on a bet, and you will get shanked, guard or not. No inmate can allow himself to be seen as weak, if others knew he let a debt slide, they will come down on him hard.

And they might not want to be paid back in funds, but they will want favors done. The more favors you do, which are almost always against policy. They will threaten to rat you out to the administration.

This is how they end up getting guards to smuggle contraband into the facility.

Last Edited by mport81 on 08/27/2018 08:38 PM

I had an ex gf that was the secretary to the warden at a female prison. She bought a quilt from an inmate and the inmate accused her of not paying. She caught a lot of hell for that and lost her job.

I can ask my creepy neighbor..(he used to be one) did I mention he’s really creepy?

There was a prison guard that did an AMA thread here a year or so ago. That would probably be a decent read.

I have had many friends who were CO's and most were alcoholics, depressed etc. Use it as a stepping stone to try to get into sheriff's dept or something. Not a healthy career IMHO. Maybe try to become a transport driver or some other outside job. Working on the inside is not much different than being an inmate yourself.

A buddy of mine is a CO, on his first day when the inmates were "testing" him he walked by a cell and the dude was cornholing himself with a banana.

So... be ready for that.

Become an expert with gas grenades and tasers. Be alert in those classes.

Did you go through an academy type training or did the agency agree on on the job training?

Always take a circuitous route home to throw off a tail.

I think that would be an awesome job! I love to study human behavior- and you are getting paid to do that (in part).

Make sure you are good at self defense - practice if you have to! I like Tai Quan do - it is all about directional force -


I ran up against a prison release in Crescent City, California. They released prisoners, (from high security prison), onto public greyhound bus! I was a passenger on (said) bus. They did that to us (in secret) on a Burger King stop.

It was scary, as I was young. I was harrassed terribly - and screamed to be let out of bus!! Bus driver got mad at ME for complaining! (In this PC culture, I could have won a lawsuit).

I managed to get home, but I had to rely on self defense. Fortunately, I know how to defend myself. I never took a Greyhound bus again, and never will -

Last Edited by ruser on 08/27/2018 09:06 PM

It’s four or five weeks ojt

Be very careful when out on the street in plain clothes. Inmates will recognize you. Avoid being seen in public with your children. It makes them a target. Remember there are connected people in there that can potentially ruin your life with a phone call.

Treat inmates with respect but be stern. Give them exactly what they are entitled to. Know when to bend the rules to keep the peace.

Never let people get ANY dirt on you.

Write your reports as painstakingly specific as humanly possible.

Always remember, these people are predators. They sense fear.

God bless,

MFiera

Op, be ready to get your cheeks busted, and then get your wig split.

No seriously, check out the "fresh out" series on youtube to get an idea of prisoner psychology. Big Herc is the man!

Beware as mentioned above... ABSOLUTELY DO NOT GIVE OUT PERSONAL INFORMATION!!! Lie! Do not bend any rules as mentioned by someone else, it WILL be used against you. And last but definitely not least, DO NOT give up those cheeks!

Last Edited by RackTheSlide on 08/27/2018 09:58 PM

The inmates have literally all day to think of ways to manipulate their conditions, including the correctional staff... Do not let them put you in this position - keep your guard up... Be professional...

And never agree to smuggling in any contraband in your buttchecks!