Bob Walsh
Stockton, CA
Male, 60
I worked for the California state system, starting as a Correctional Officer and retiring as a Lieutenant in 2005. I now write for the PacoVilla blog which is concerned with what could broadly be called The Correctional System.
Yes. Very much so.
Share Answer: 
Like I said, I have never been a street cop. I suppose it might make a difference if they thought you were lying, or if they wanted to tell how solid a witness you were. Maybe he is a confirmed left-hand weenie wacker and if you say he was using his right that would tend to indicate you were lying. I very honestly don't know the answer.
Share Answer: 
Sort of. Max prisons have better internal security procedures. Inmates are allowed relatively little unescorted movement. There is usually better visual coverage, camera coverage or gun coverage in Max prisons. There is a better staff to inmate ratio. However, that being said, the clientel is typically more violent too. I am sure there is some metrics on it, but I don't know off hand what they are.
Share Answer: 
Generally speaking yes, depending on the exact reason why you left. If you wait too long they have to do a whole new background on you. (If you quit because you don't like shift work or you "don't like other people telling you what to do" you are probably SOL.) However they might decide you are not worth the trouble, though after investing all that academy training in you they might give it a go, again depending....
Share Answer: 
Sr. Software Engineer
Is it basically impossible for a skilled programmer to be out of work these days?
Chick-fil-A General Manager
What's the back-story behind the cow mascot and eat-mor-chikin campaign?
"The Onion" Contributors
What's your favorite Onion headline of all time?
The system can not, and does not "correct" behavior. If all goes well, at some point in his/her life the prisoner decides to get their act together. At that point whatever rehabilitative programs may be available will have the opportunity to work. The idea that incarceration, in and of itself is a rehabilitative exerience is a myth. Most life prisoners do have the opportunity to get out, eventually. At that point they may be too old, too infirm, or too tired of the life and will go striaght. Or not. Prisons keep prisoners from committing crimes against the general public while they are encarcerated. That is all that can be realistically expected.
Share Answer: 
The most noticable ones were within the profession. The academy lengthened from 3 weeks to 16 weeks. (It shrank back down to 14 after I retired). We started using papper spray and side-handle batons. Firearms polciies changed so there was fewer discharges of firearms at the institutions. Cell extractions are more controlled and less frequent. They are also video recorded now except in case of emergencies. Custody staff now have the right under the law to carry weapons off duty, before that was a department controlled thing. The entire medical operation is now run thru the federal courts. The overall level of violence in the system has lowered.
Share Answer: 
Depends. In CA there is, at least in some areas, a lot of friction between the CHP and CDCR and the chippies cut CDCR officers no slack. In most areas (as far as I know) the locals cut CDCR some slack, as long as the officer in question isn't acting like an idiot. My way of dealing with it is simpler, obey the traffic laws and avoid being stopped.
Share Answer: 
-OR-
Login with Facebook (max 20 characters - letters, numbers, and underscores only. Note that your username is private, and you have the option to choose an alias when asking questions or hosting a Q&A.)
(A valid e-mail address is required. Your e-mail will not be shared with anyone.)
(min 5 characters)
By checking this box, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to Jobstr.com’s Terms and Privacy Policy.
-OR-
Register with Facebook(Don't worry: you'll be able to choose an alias when asking questions or hosting a Q&A.)
Browse Jobs
Host a Q&A
Search
Submit Your Question
Host a Q&A
Last 7
