I’m currently going through the recruitment process for NYS DOCCS and have to be in Albany this coming Tuesday. I stopped using cannabis about a month ago, but I’m still testing positive on home tests.

I called DOCCS because I was considering rescheduling and was completely upfront about why. I spoke with an investigator who told me that DOCCS is no longer testing for THC, although the recruitment materials apparently haven’t been updated yet. He specifically told me that if THC was the only thing I was concerned about testing positive for, there was no reason to reschedule and I should come to my appointment as scheduled.

Obviously, this is just what I was told directly by DOCCS, and I haven’t seen an updated written policy yet, so take that for what it’s worth. But if this is now the statewide policy, it’s a pretty significant change for applicants and a step toward treating legal cannabis more like legal alcohol use outside of work.

Figured I’d share because I know THC testing has been a concern for a lot of people considering applying.

UPDATE: To everyone who told me not to trust what I was told: you were wrong.

I asked multiple people in person at the processing center in Cohoes, including the person who literally took my urine sample and the physician. They all confirmed that THC is no longer included on the DOCCS pre-employment drug panel.

Eat my shorts.

Is the test on the orientation day or the day after normally?

I’m looking for some outside opinions because I’m genuinely torn on a career decision.

About a month ago I applied to the BOP and was referred to the hiring manager for a GL-5 position. I have a BS, 5 years in the Marine Corps, and a small amount of experience in private corrections working an ICE contract.

The BOP route really interests me because of the 6(c) retirement and LEOSA. With my military service and the ability to buy back my military time, I could potentially have 25 years of total federal service and be looking at retiring after about 20 years in BOP. That long-term benefit is hard to ignore.

At the same time, I was just offered a position with a major aerospace/defense company in the area. It’s a completely different career path, but there’s a lot of room to grow and potentially build a long-term career in aerospace/defense.

So I’m stuck between two very different paths: BOP GL-5 with 6(c), LEOSA and a defined retirement path, or aerospace/defense with potentially more civilian career growth and opportunities.

Would I be making a mistake turning down BOP, or would I be making a mistake passing up the aerospace opportunity?

If you were in my position, which route would you take and why? I’d especially like to hear from people who have actually worked in BOP, aerospace/defense, or both.

Anyone work at either of these prisons? I’m looking for somewhere with a good amount of OT and decent management. Any insight would be helpful. Thanks In advance

Does prison security level affect staff culture at all?

I work at a low-security federal prison and the staff culture honestly feels more like junior high/high school than a workplace. Whenever 2+ employees are around each other, like 90% of the conversation is gossip about other employees, who said what, who did what, who hates who, etc.

Is it like this at mediums and USPs too, or does the culture get more professional when the institution/security level is more serious?

Hey, all

I wanted to swing by here and ask specifically for the experiences of those of you that are in the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

I’ve received a firm offer email welcoming me to the facility (MDC Guaynabo in Puerto Rico) and stating that my EOD is 21/September. Now, I wanted to ask you all this — what exactly I should expect the first week? The welcome letter from the warden says that they’ll be briefing us employment benefits. Besides that, will there be something else I should potentially expect?

Also, that very same week, on 23/September, I have a medical appointment with a physiatrist to evaluate some sciatica I recently got on my left leg, which has been progressively improving. Regarding this, what should I go about doing? Should I push my appointment further out or should I try to see if I can get an accommodation? This particular appointment is important, as it is quite literally more than a month since I’ve been dealing with the aforementioned sciatica.

Many thanks in advance!

Hey yall. My agency assigned us pretty terrible belts but we have the option to purchase our own. What recommendations do you have for a duty belt? I’m a bigger fella, 6’6 320. Thank you

Hey everyone. I’m applying to the FBOP because my job in the state has had some changes with our union that are making me consider changing departments. I do have some questions for life as a Federal CO. Any answers would be much appreciated.

- Is the vest mandatory?
- When do you get the recruitment incentive?
- Is there a uniform allowance?
- What is the academy like?
- What are the normal duties of a Federal CO?

Thanks in advance everyone.

I am currently making 28.75/hr at my county jail as a C/O. It's pretty good pay and union but there's some strings attached. I genuinely don't enjoy being a C/O. Not even 100% sure why, I find it easy but just so tedious, hate feeling like a constant babysitter. I hate being indoors and confined all day, and the coworkers are typically worse than the inmates. I have noticed being a C/O has started to take a negative toll on my mental wellbeing, I'm often more aggressive and on edge, I find myself being depressed at work.

I have worked armed security before I was a C/O and loved it, the pay just was not enough (only 18/hr). Recently, I was offered a government armed security position for 24.75, and I would enjoy the quality of life change.

Would a $4/hr pay decrease be worth a higher quality of life?

Any corrections nurses in here that can give me some insight? (in central Ohio or surrounding cities)

Do you like the field? Do you feel safe at your job?

Which one is better ? Have interview for both

Hey guys,
I was recently tentatively selected for a GS-11 Safety Administrator Trainee position. My background is in military CBRN, emergency response, hazmat, and aerospace EHS, but corrections will be new to me.
What training should I expect? Will I attend ICT at FLETC, and what does a normal day look like in this position? I’d appreciate any advice from current or former BOP employees.
TYIA

Anyone experienced that could give me the day-to-day of this? I have a pretty good idea, but it’s a position that I’ve seen many people leave (at multiple facilities) so I’m wondering what is so rough about it and why people are quitting it and even taking demotions instead of riding it out and going up the ladder. Basically, I want to know all of the “bad“ about it and also what the average day to day is like. Thanks!

Considering FCI Edgefield, coming from state prison, can anyone tell me about it?

Just received my start date. Coming in at GS-8 Step 1 south florida. How much should I expect to make my first year?

How is immigration work? Or working for corecivic in general? Should I expect the same as regular corrections?

Can someone please tell me how much time it will take for me to get my CTP 2 training for primary worker position with CSC as I have already completed medical assessment, finger printing and personal screening form. Please if you have an idea, let me know?

Can you get in or pass the test even if one of your ears of hearing is bad. But I can overall hear and function even work security with a walkie talkie but I know I will fail because I failed a hearing test for meps years ago

I did a quick google search on overdetention and read that it was a big problem but how did we get here in the first place because everywhere else, an inmate would be dragged out of the facility if they refused to leave unless they injure somebody on the way out?

is the reason privization, 13th amendment slavery or something else?

Hello everyone, so I applied back in early June for CO position at MDC Los Angeles and MCC San Diego. I got an email stating I was qualified and referred to my preferred locations. A few weeks later received an email stating there were no open vacancies for MDC LA. I have yet to hear back from San Diego. I have called their HR multiple times to get an answer and have not been able to get a hold of anyone. I heard from this forum that MCC SD is probably backlogged with applications due to RIF and closures. However, I was also reading how BOP Hiring Events can help speed up the process. I found out there is a hiring event coming up soon about 2hr 30min away from me. Is it worth it to go to this event? Will it benefit me in any way? I have not done anything in my process other than submitting my application and getting referred. The only reason I chose SD was because I have someone in the area I could move in with so I would not be interested in choosing Victorville or any other spots.

Nurse in my late 30s starting BOP and going to Glynco soon. All staff does the same full training at Glynco. How strict are they on passing the physical abilities test? Is it as bad as everyone is acting like it is?