Ask a Correctional Officer anything

454 Questions

Last Answer on February 10, 2022

Why did they choose corrections for a field of employment?

Asked by K Roar over 6 years ago

Who is "they?"

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

Asked by sofibour almost 7 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.

632 Votes

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I know an educated man, wrongfully convicted. One particular CO is harassing him at every opportunity. Can this inmate do anything to improve relations? The inmate does not flaunt the rules and does not know why he has been targeted.

Asked by in Boston almost 7 years ago

My first response would to be that you are being jerked around by this "educated, wrongfully convicted" man. As far as I know every modern penal system has a system where an inmate can complain about treatment by staff, and many have an Inspector General that can accept complaints that will be anonymous, at least to those the complaint is made against. My GUESS, based on inadequate information, is that you are being manipulated by the prisoner. I could be wrong. I find it hard to understand WHY a prison staffer would deliberately harass an inmate who does not break the rules and does behave himself. It is not impossible, but I find the premise to be highly questionable. (Admittedly I may be prejudiced.)

632 Votes

I'm a small 5' women and I was wondering if It would be appropriate for me to become a CO

Asked by Rose over 6 years ago

Don't see why not. There were several small women where I worked. There are issues. One is that most of the prisons are designed for someone about 5-7 or taller. being able to shoot out of a tower can be a challenge (not that you do much of that). Also, doing something like count can be challenging because the cell windows are designed for someone taller. I know one small woman who had a milk crate on a dog leash. At count time she pulled it around with her like a foot stool. Stop. Step up on crate. Count the cell. step down. go to next cell. repeat 132 times. it worked. GO FOR IT.

631 Votes

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Did you work with mostly male or female inmates

Asked by Ali over 6 years ago

Personally I worked exclusively with male prisoners.

629 Votes

What happens when someone with a disability goes to prison?

Asked by 56 almost 7 years ago

There are more and more disabled people entering the prison system. Obviously if a person has a severe disability and can not care for themselves they tend to be placed in a hospital setting. That being said there are a LOT of people in wheel chairs or with major hearing or vision problems who are in the prison system. Each person has to be evaluated on an individual basis. There have been cases of people who became fully disabled while in prison and who were placed in a rehab facility under guard until the system could come up with something to do with them.

624 Votes

Have you ever seen mistreatment or even abuse by staff to inmates?

Asked by Cain almost 7 years ago

Inappropriate treatment, yes. Abuse, no. I wrote two people up over the years for it. I am sure it happens more than that, but people who are going to beat on prisoners tend to do it when nobody is looking.

622 Votes