Correctional Officer

Correctional Officer

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.

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

454 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on February 10, 2022

Best Rated

We're having a surprise guest police speaker at my school tomorrow for my drivers Ed class. What would be some questions I could ask him/her ?

Asked by Mercedes about 9 years ago

I have never been a street cop so I am not sure I can help much.  Since you are dealing with Drivers Ed you might ask him/her about the department pursuit policies.  That should be moderately interesting.

Did you make arrestees remove their shoes while getting a pat down at the police station? Why do you make them remove their shoes?

Asked by Angela1994 over 9 years ago

I have never worked in a police station in my life so it is difficult to respond meaningfully to your question.  I can tell you that most "hard shoes" (as opposed to athletic shoes) have a metal support in the arch which triggers metal detectors.

What is your opinion about the use of restraint chairs for disruptive prisoners?

Asked by KennyB over 10 years ago

We did not use them when I was working.  They are obviously temporary devices and not a long-term solution and it can be a problem getting the prisoner into them.  Once that is accomplished they are very effective and if you need to move a non-compliant prisoner from point a to point b without hurting him or staff, they work.  I think they are a very useful tool.

Can an inmate in a California firecamp get married while in firecamp

Asked by 1lady over 10 years ago

As far as I know, yes.  Finding someone to perform the ceremony might be a bit inconvenience depending on where the camp is, and what else is going on, but inmates do have the right to marry.

What it your title of position? and what is your organization called and purpose?

Asked by new about 9 years ago

My current title is RETIRED.  I worked for the California Dept. of Corrections.  It's purpose was to incarcerate persons committed to it by court action for the period of time prescribed by law.

Do you get a ticket when a cop pulls you over? Do cops consider correctional officers as one of their own?

Asked by CO2015 almost 10 years ago

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. 

My husband has just recently accepted a position at MCSP as a c.o. Our concerns are; does he leave his current job that he loves, pays good, has freedom-for the state job; retirement, good benefits. Biggest concern-missing out on our future kids.

Asked by aac81 about 10 years ago

A lot of it will depend on you.  The first two years it will be hard due to the llve-in academy followed by several months of rotating shifts.  After he gets settled in to a regular job with known days off and a known shift it gets better, much better.  (Some people bid for a VR (vacation relief) job when they can so they get some good gigs along with some crappy gigs.)  When you get some seniority you can start bidding for jobs that you will probably like, working with people or working with situations that appeal to you.  Some people never get used to it.  Most people do.  The closer to retirement it gets the more it looks like it was a good decision.  Mule Creek is a relatively new, well laid out prison in a nice area.  Last I heard it had a decent administration that supported the staff.