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

on the corrections officer exam can i refer to the paragraphs in the reading comprehention portions

Asked by exam over 11 years ago

I have no information on the current testing procedure.  Sorry.

Can a correctional officer date an ex-felon?

Is there any specific policy that prohibits correctional officers dating ex-offenders.

And I would appreciate an officer in the Virginia Area or anyone thoroughly familiar with Virginia to respond.

Asked by John over 11 years ago

I don't know if you will get a response from Virginia.  I can tell you that, as long as that person is under the jurisdiction of the department (i.e. on probation or parole) it would be a serious no-no.  The California rules (Title 15 of the California Code of Regulations) are available on line, I strongly suspect whatever they call the prison rule book in Virginia is also on line.  You might want to do a little web surfing and you may be able to find it chapter and verse.  Good hunting.

I have (well controlled) epilepsy,) and I want to work in a prison. Is this a good fit?

Asked by J-chambers over 11 years ago

I am afraid I do not have a good answer for you.  In custody, I would say NO.  In certain types of non-custody positions I would say MAYBE.  If you are doing something relatively benign in an area where you would have assistance if necessary (i.e. clerical) it might work.  If you had to operate dangerous machinery or work in an isolated area, I would be very dubious.

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

Asked by KennyB almost 12 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.

What is tampering with evidence in prison.

Asked by chaz about 11 years ago

Probably the same thing as tampering with evidence in any other law enforcement setting.  Of all of the rules violation reports I have seen I have NEVER seen one for evidence tampering.

what is the max years you can have on a sentences, that is allowed for cdcr fire camps

Asked by henry over 11 years ago

I don't know.  It used to be not more than 3 years.  It has, I understand, gone up to 5 since I retired and maybe even has moved further. 

how have U.S Supreme court decisions about corrections impacted your job/your life?

Asked by lily almost 12 years ago

As I have been retired for some years they don't impact me at all.  The court decision on the population cap has had a huge effect, moving many prisoners out of prison and onto the streets.  Also, federal court decisions at a lower level have mandated huge expenditures of resources for medical care for inmates to the point where state prison inmates get much better health care than do most people on the streets.