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

Can I request a single cell or solitary confinement and would I be guaranteed a cell? I wouldn’t want to be pissed on or killed in my sleep.

Asked by Yuy over 5 years ago

You can request anything you want. In CA even some death row inmates are double-celled. Your housing situation is determined (in most states) by a check-list type criteria. How long is your sentence. Do you have a history of violence or fire-setting? Are you more likely than others to be the victim of violence? What is your personal preference. (That last one is way down the list.) What is available. Long term or even medium term your personal preferences mean almost nothing. The best way to sleep where you want is to stay out of prison.

What advice would you give someone considering corrections as a career?

Asked by K Roar about 6 years ago

It isn't as good a gig as it used to be due to politics, but it is still pretty decent, at least in CA.

Are there other alternatives for wrong doers other than imprisonment?

Asked by sofibour over 6 years ago

Obviously there are.  They could be executed.  They could be ignored and allowed to continue to offend.  They could be maimed (like taking the hand off a thief or castrating a rapist.)  Whether these alternatives are effective, legal or human is a completely different question.

How jealous where inmates that you got to go home and have a happy life while they had to stay locked up?

Asked by Dude almost 6 years ago

Typically not very. Most inmates are career criminals and know that getting locked up from time to time is the cost of doing business.

Im a student studying criminal justice, i have a assignment which is interviewing a correctional officer is it okay if i interview you? And if so may i jave your contact information

Asked by Isabel.velazquezloza over 6 years ago



I have been retired for over 13 years and due to some parent care issues am pretty much impossible to contact at any sort of reasonably predictable time.  Sorry, but I don't think I can help you much on this project.

Bob, I enjoy your remarks. Here's my question. What happens to felons convicted of bunko, money laundering, other white collar crimes? What types of prisons, what are their living conditions?

Asked by Neal Bracken over 5 years ago

Such people would tend to land in either minimum or medium custody, depending on the length of their sentence, medical needs and other factors (including available housing). Right now, in CA, many of these people would be placed in county jails rather than state prisons, even though they are serving a felony sentence, under "realignment.".

How do you help prisoners come to terms with serving a life senntence?

Asked by sofibour over 6 years ago

Basically that is not a custody function.  Also, virtually NOBODY goes to prison the first time.  They have probation, diversion, court ordered therapy, restitution, etc.  Many are "state raised."  The only people who go to prison the first time are murderers and (now) child molesters.  Also, by the time they go thru the court process and jail they have adequate time to come to terms with their situation.  But, as I opened with, that is not a custody function.