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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455 Questions

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Last Answer on February 10, 2022

Best Rated

Have you ever had bodily fluids on you?

Asked by Tina over 6 years ago

If you go to the right parties it happens all the time...Oh, you mean at work. That particular form of battery is colloquially referred to as "gassing" in the California system. I have to missed that fun experience during my employment. It is gross and disgusting and has many possible health risks attached to it. .

Also why has the rehabilitation gone from helping people be rehabilitated and things to making excuses and just parol or probation? Making excuses Does no good but trying to help them recognize what they did, what they can do now with their lives, and move on would work better. In my opinion.

Asked by Tyler over 6 years ago

Rehabilitation is, and has pretty much always been (IMHO) a joke. "The system" can provide opportunities and tools, but a person has to WANT to change. True change comes from within, it can not be forced on a person. Most of the people in prison view themselves as criminals. That is their "job". That is what they do. That is what they want to do. That is what they like to do. Eventually they will get too old, or too slow, or too sick, or just get tired of the madness and decide to change. Or else they die. Either way the problem is self correcting, though it takes time and money and pain to get there.

Do you have to be 21’or can you be 18? Also is there a old age limit?

Asked by Mike over 5 years ago

In Ca you can be HIRED to be a peace officer at 20 1/2 but can not actually start work until age 21. When I started there was a maximum age limit of 35 to begin training. There was no mandatory retirement age. The max age limit to start went away while I was working but MAY have since been reinstated. There is still no max age that I am aware of, but few stay beyond 55 or 60 as there is little or no financial benefit from doing so and the job is somewhat physical.

If you where not a Correctional Officer what job could you see yourself doing?

Asked by Question to all about 6 years ago

Before that I worked for the DMV giving driving tests. It was OK but working at the prison was safer.

I can’t that’s the point. I can’t ask any questions it says he’s away. You try it.

Asked by UH OH UH OH UH OH over 6 years ago

Damned if I know.

What do you feel when an innocent person get locked up or even executed?

Asked by Neal Bracken over 6 years ago

I feel bad about it for at least 15-20 seconds. Sometimes longer.

Why do almost all non uniformed cops wear khakis or a suit? I know most offices have cops wear them but its almost always 5.11 khaki like pants

Asked by asdf about 6 years ago

Because most of them would be funny looking or unattractive if they walked around in their underwear.