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.

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Last Answer on February 10, 2022

Best Rated

If someone has been arrested for felony charges, has been booked but has yet to go to trial (or even their first appearance with the magistrate court), at any point, are they allowed to request to see a therapist/psychologist?

Asked by Lucy over 7 years ago

I dealt only with convicted felons doing time, not pre-trial detainees.  That being said a person in custody can request pretty much anything they want pretty much any time they want it.  That doesn't mean they will get it.  Unless a person is obviously mentally disturbed or is asserting that they intend to hurt themselves or others I am unsure how quickly jail staff would act in those cases.  I expect it depends on the individual jurisdiction.

Anyways when she came to escort the prisoner to general population we. Very briefly exchanged words. I bonded out since this was a failure to appear on a traffic violation, and got in contact with her on Facebook. is it legal for us to date???

Asked by V3ngeance almost 8 years ago

Good question.  I am not sure I have as good answer.  A person on bond is still in a form of constructive custody, but you are legally in the custody of the bondsman and not the government.  My educated guess is YES.  However, were I her, I would NOT do so until your legal matters had been fully adjudicated or it could result in some fallout in her direction.

I wondered after an inmate goes to segragation for calling sumone n threatning them at a halfway house n with a cell phone n gets administative charges what happens next cus there tellin me to ask sumone new

Asked by Imjuzzme almost 8 years ago

What happens next is that someone, usually a Lieutenant, holds a hearing on the administrative charge and determines what, if any, punishment will be applied.

Can a correctional officer get in trouble for dating a felon? The felon was never incarcerated while the CO was therefore no relationship was established previously.

Asked by Thatbuckeyedude over 7 years ago

If the felon is still under the jurisdiction of the department (i.e. on parole, probation or other sort of supervised release) then the short answer is YES.  In most jurisdictions it is actually a crime for a staff member, especially a peace officer, to engage in a sexual relationship with a person under the jurisdiction of their department due to the power imbalance.  It is legally considered rape and is likely to get the officer fired and prosecuted.  If the relationship is merely social and not sexual (which might be hard to prove) it would still get the officer fired.  Even if the person is no longer on parole, probation or whatever there are still POSSIBLE problems relating to access to firearms and ammunition.  This is one of those questions you might want to run by a lawyer in your state for hard facts.

U said to send a letter to corrections if I don't have an oral appointment in 60 days, but how if were not suppose to contact them?

Asked by Beautydiamond47@gmail.com almost 8 years ago

I'm sorry, when you wrote and said you weren't supposed to CALL I thought you meant you were not suppose to CALL.  If what you really meant is you are not supposed to contact them in any fashion then probably you should not contact them.  

Is it possible to have hand tattoos and still be a correctional officer? I've been trying to do my research but nothing comes up. Your input would be very helpful!

Asked by Jm26 almost 8 years ago

Sorry, but there were no regulations concerning ink when I was working.  I am unaware if there are any now.  Wish I could be more helpful.  I BELIEVE the officer orientation packet for California is on line, you could probably access it and see what it has to say. 

I have been trying to get information on the structured living program for inmates can you give me any info on what it is and how it benefits the inmate

Asked by Mrs.Thompson almost 8 years ago

Sorry but no, I can't. I have been out of the system for 12 years now and I have zero information on it.  I am GUESSING that it is a halfway-house type environment for prisoners who are nearly at their release date or who are in fact out on some form of supervised conditional release, but that is only an educated guess.