Anyone work in Corrections?

MAURICE · Feb 8, 2005

I am in the hiring process for the AR Dept of Corrections. First things first let me say that this is not your typical prison work. I will be working here in town at a work release center with a population of a whopping 42 inmates. Meeting a few of them they seemed somewhat educated (they do have classes and a teacher on site) and relatively friendly. None are violent offenders, most are in for burglary or drug charges. All are quick with the 'yessir' 'nosir' and do what they are told. Anyone who talks back, is insubordinate, or breaks any rules is sent back to a regular prison. That being said, it relatively safe and this particular unit has only had 3 major incidents in 15 years.

I just took a drug test and was fingerprinted today and am waiting for the O.K. from Pine Bluff and then I will have 6 weeks of academy (Weekends off-w00t!), then I start the job.

Any advice? Tips for making the job easier? From what I have heard and seen I shouldnt have much, if any, trouble from the inmates.

Thanks,
Mo.

Danbo · Feb 8, 2005

Advice? Yeah, throw away your bong!

Seriously, Mo. Good on ya! Glad to see your plans are starting to pan out. It helps to have some kind of plan in life. Heck, I don't.

TomW · Feb 8, 2005

Maurice
In the early 90s I worked for a work release and alternate incarceration program teaching carpentry. The students rehabbed state owned houses that were sold to low income. The program was short lived unfortunately because of budget cuts. I did it for a year as a fulltime volunteer teacher. It was extemely rewarding. The cool part is I got my picture in the paper.
It showed me pointing to the floor showing something to the workers.
The caption said 7 men "all convicts" provide housing for low income families.
Congratulations on the very noble work you are about to do.

TomW · Feb 8, 2005

Sorry Maurice I should have told what I learned rather than tell a story.
Don't be nice. Be civil. Talk to them like you'd want somebody to talk to you.
You'll see that for a lot of them it's all about getting over and they're experts at getting over. You're not. Give somebody you're hand and they'll want your arm. You don't have to be crazy about it but rules are rules. For the most part it's best to keep them rigid.
I had a problem with late. If a person cannot be on time they'll never be able to hold a job. Late was late no exceptions.

Bob W · Feb 8, 2005

My dad worked in corrections for at least 25 years as a teacher. He never had any serious problems that I know of. For the most part, the inmates that are involved wth the eductaional programs are there because they want to be. With the program that you're interested in, the inmates may even go through a selection/application process, weeding out unmotivated and behaviour problem inmates.

Dad did say it wasn't as safe when the older long-timer population was replaced by young gang members.

Honestly, I'd be more concerned about Pine Bluff in general. Maybe it's different now, I stayed there in the early 90s. Our boss wouldn't put us at any motel that didn't have a fence and security guard...

Good Luck in your new adventure,
Bob

MAURICE · Feb 9, 2005

Thanks for the replies, guys.
Tom, what you told me is what I was told by the warden. Be hard, but be fair.
Bob, Thankfully I will only be in Pine Bluff for 6 weeks, as mentioned earlier, and we are going to be in dorm rooms on prison grounds. That being the case I think we will be safer than any hotel. Not looking forward to Pine Bluff itself, but the training sounds like a lot of fun. Firearms training (Mini-14, 870, and .357 wheel guns, not sure of make), a week of self defense, and I think even a driving course- I guess for when we have to transport inmates from facility to facility.
Im getting hyped about the whole deal. Looks like its going to be a good job.
Thanks again for the replies,
Robert

maximus otter · Feb 9, 2005

I was never in the prison Service, but spent 30 years in the police here in the UK. It's not an exhaustive list, but here are a few thoughts off the top of my head:

Obey the rules. You expect conformity, so demonstrate it.

Be civil but maintain discipline and "distance." If possible, for instance, don't eat with them. You are not at their level.

Be smart in appearance. People show instinctive respect to a suit & tie (or the equivalent).

Don't reveal personal information.

Keep an eagle eye on your belongings. Don't take to work anything that would break your heart if you lost it.

Don't do irregular favours for inmates. One thing leads to another. Bring him an illicit chocolate bar one week, next week he'll expect a beer.

Let the law fight your battles. If one of them assaults you, steals from you or insults you, don't take action yourself. Go through channels.

Create paper trails. If anything goes wrong, be prepared to be able to prove that you weren't responsible.

Learn to listen to your antennae. Our instincts are what kept our ancestors alive for millions of years. If the hair on the back of your neck stands up, if you get a "gut feeling", act accordingly.

Remember that every con has a hard luck story. If he complains that he was sent down for "one poxy burglary", bear in mind the dozens that he wasn't caught for.

Above all: DON'T TRUST THEM! Most cons want no more than to have a quiet life, do their porridge and get out. A small percentage, however, want to escape, hurt you, obtain drugs etc.

maximus otter

Kalindras · Feb 9, 2005

Yep, I'm with the TDCJ, over here in TX. I graduate from academy this Friday, then it's off for two weeks of OJT, then two more weeks shadowed by a mentor on shift. I'm a little nervous (they've gone to great pains to explain the risks inherent to the job to us), but I feel confident in the training I've received.

More than that, however, I feel a tremendous fraternity with my fellow officers, both those already at work and my classmates about to hit shift. How much of this is due to honest goodwill as opposed to our being sorely needed (our unit is presently about a 130 folks short--if anybody needs a job, WE'RE HIRING!!

), I can't say, but I like to imagine it's the former. It sounds like you're going in to a really nice spot in your system...I'm gonna be at the third largest Max facility in TX, just two notches down from the Death Row units down south.

Welcome to the Brotherhood, Mo. May we both have long, safe and happy careers!! If you have any questions, feel free to drop me a line and I'll do what I can to answer them. Right now my experience is limited to academy, but the one thing I can tell you is, get comfortable in the push-up position. If your academy class is anything like mine, you will VERY familiar with it...