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

My husband was sentence to 24 months in prison , he's been very good never a problem. After serving 14 months ,court order , u.s Marshal's will be transporting him back to our home state. Why? Is this bad or good?

Asked by Nena over 8 years ago

Sorry, not by end of the business.  My GUESS is that it is a good thing and they are preparing to release him, maybe into some sort of a pre-release program, near his address of record.  That is, however, only an educated guess.  I have almost zero experience with the federal system which is apparently what you are dealing with.

What is the average salary for a correctional officer in California? Thank you

Asked by Joe over 8 years ago

Sorry but I am afraid I don't know any more.  use to be the max was about $4,000 per month, not counting things like educational incentive, shift differential and overtime.  You can go to the CDCR web site and check out the salary RANGE there.  That might give you a fair notion of what you want.  This is, of course, for state employed correctional officers.  Counties typically pay less, private operators less still.

hey I want to be a correctional officer but I don't know where to start can you give me some advice?

Asked by andres almost 10 years ago

There are two ways to go, Civil Service and private.  For civil service you have to jump through the hiring agency hoops.  Virtually all civil service employers large enough to operate a correctional facility have a web site and you can get a lot of information there, things like age limits, Minimum Qualifications, academy location and length, etc.  In fact the California state system only takes applications off the internet now I understand.  There are two large private prison operators in this country, and probably several smaller ones.  GEO and CCA (Corrections Corporation of America) are the biggies.  They also have web sites with salary information, employment opportunities, etc.  The Internet is definitely the place to start for either pathway.  (I highly recommend Civil Service employment if you can manage it.  It pays much better, is much more secure, and tends to offer better promotional opportunities.)

Hi Bob,
I am wondering if it is possible to become a correctional officer if I am in a relationship with someone who has gone to prison and has felonies on his record. This relationship started well before he was ever incarcerated.

Asked by Isabella about 9 years ago

Yes.  There is no prohibition (at least in California) on hiring friends an family of ex-convicts.  It would have to be reported if that person is still on probation or parole.  You could also count on a closer than usual background investigation.  They would want to make sure that you were not a mole of some sort (such things do happen).

How do you go about joining specialized units within the CDCR? (i.e the Investigations Unit)

Asked by CO2015 over 9 years ago

You don't.  They recruit you generally speaking.  You can let them know you are interested, but you can't just "join."

I have an upcoming interview with a female corrections officer for a course I am taking. Can you give me an idea of some good questions to ask her. I am looking at some of the questions you have on here, and some are worth asking her as well.

Asked by Tara about 10 years ago

I am not sure I understand your question.  I will work from the idea that you are interviewing her for an article for an english writing assignment or a journalism class.  What sort of facility she works at would be of interest, i.e. male or female, adult or juvenile, high security, medium security, medical, etc.  How long she has worked for the department, some particular jobs she has had, that sort of thing would be interesting.  Maybe some details about her basic training and ongoing, in-service training would be of interest.  Possibly some specific incidents she has been involved in (war stories).  Also, there is the classic about hwo does it feel to be a woman in what is still largely a men's field.

What does it mean when your asked to show up to the correctional facility with paper sent for identity purposed

Asked by Tam about 8 years ago

No idea.  First I ever heard of it.  My GUESS is they want to make real sure you bring whatever paperwork they sent you with you and maybe want to try to make sure you are actually coming from the address they sent the paperwork to.  It doesn't really make much sense to me.  Sorry I can't be of more help.