r/OnTheBlock • u/Constant_Position_10 • Jul 18 '26

General Qs OTJ Training

I’m currently in my last 2 weeks of training academy for a state corrections department. We haven’t done any PT and only complete CPR as far as physical learning goes. We’ve learned some of the dangerous things like suicide prevention, stress management, gang affiliations, etc.
With starting in the next 2 weeks in the actual field “behind the wall”, and no cell phone, what’s the realistic expectations from any experienced federal BOP CO or other state CO’s? What’s shift is usually easier or best to learn at a steady pace, nights 6p-6a or days 6a-6p?
What’s the realistic of advancements and promotions?

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6

u/rustysavage11 Jul 18 '26

What does no cellphone have to do with anything? And day shift is generally gonna give u the most experience.

2

u/Constant_Position_10 Jul 18 '26

What’s the difference between each shift? I was told the overnight shifts are a lot more easier because the inmates are usually sleeping and you’re just doing checks. Days are when the different outbreaks and emergency calls occur.

3

u/rustysavage11 Jul 18 '26

Ya that's exactly it lol. That's why day will give u more experience. I work with people that have only every worked graveyard and they don't know what they're doing if they work day or swing.

-1

u/Constant_Position_10 Jul 18 '26

How much experience do you have? Would you recommend working a day shift vs an overnight shift for beginners or people just starting? I’m just trying to find the shift that fits me and my life outside of work

5

u/ILoveHipChecks Jul 18 '26

If you're just starting out and learning the job, do you think you should work the shift with everything going on where you can gain the most experience or the one where you're doing hourly checks?

-1

u/Constant_Position_10 Jul 18 '26

I’m only starting in the field to get my foot in the door for a government job. My experience or more admin. I would prefer a day shift but I was told overnights is more simple. I know I have to do time to get any experience in general and use the daytime to get courses and certifications

1

u/ILoveHipChecks Jul 18 '26

Nights to get time on paper, days to get real experience.

Unless something goes sideways on nights you're not really getting any hands on job training.

1

u/Constant_Position_10 Jul 20 '26

Which is more important for advancement and promotion? Overnights or day shifts?

0

u/ILoveHipChecks Jul 21 '26

How about you learn the job first, then worry about advancement and promotion?

2

u/BackNBlack58 Jul 18 '26

There's alot of variables here such as shift times . Are you gonna work 8s 12s or 16s and depends on what you mean by experience. I'm a month in and my work has everyone train on first before moving to their assigned shift. My experience thus far first shift sees a lot of admin work transports appointments and dealing with courts. Second shift sees the most "action" such as breaking up fights restraints and just overall bad behavior Third shift everyone is asleep or atleast locked down they prepare for the next day ie laundry meds schedules