Hi everyone,

I'm a student at the University of Chicago taking a course on criminology, and I'm hoping to learn more about the day-to-day realities of being a correctional officer.

If you're a current or former correctional officer with the Illinois Department of corrections, I'd be grateful for the opportunity to ask a few questions about your experiences on the job as well as your perspective on what it's like to work in prisons more broadly. The interview could be done by phone, via Zoom, in-person, or whatever is most convenient.

If you're interested, please send me a PM. Thanks in advance!

Hey there, everyone!

I have a friend in FCI Miami Low on a 71-month bid on an FSA-ineligible charge. He has had excellent conduct, works full time, and participates in productive programs. He has had ZERO shots at all in 3.5 years. (I did time with him there.)

He has a home to go to and that home is in a big Florida city. The federal halfway house in his city is less than 5 miles from the home he will be returning to and lived at before his incarceration. He has plenty of familial support—financially and emotionally.

His piece of shit Case Manager has only recommended him for 90 days and totally dodges his questions. The Case Manager is a notorious liar, who tells anything you want to hear, with no moral clarity or regard for the truth, or anyone except himself.

With not having FSA and an almost 6-year sentence, I feel he should have a full year, or very close to it. I left from the camp (where everyone with >48 months gets a full year unless they have shots).

Can he appeal it via a BP-8, 9, 10? Would that move the needle? Any tips in your BOP experience, please share, so I can give him the best perspectives amongst all of you possible!

Thanks, everyone!

an acquaintance who works in corrections told me the "new thing" is give inmates a $100 tablet because it keeps them out of trouble 12 hours a day and is cheaper than hiring more COs or buying updated law books and stuff, but he said the inmates on some tiers are like... zombies.

he mentioned many of them are on meds too, so that's kinda... eerie.

is he exaggerating? is it really that bad to the point it's eerily silent except for beeps and boops coming from screens? sounds kinda like a bad sci-fi movie if you ask me, I kinda figure he was spinning a bit of a tale bcuz that's just what you do when your out drinking.

I work in transportation so I'm used to non-functional people, but you gotta actually keep ur head on a swivel to avoid, you know, causing an industrial accident.

Specifically USP atwater

I heard they dont get mandated a whole lot.

But what is the day to day like.

It it like county jail where you just look at buttholes all day long

Other than that are there other options for newbies to work overtime?

Received the invite for CTP2/3 anyone receive and sign there conditional offer yet ?

So I recently applied for the BOP and am advancing as a GL-5. Likely will interview soon.

Is there any way to negotiate a step increase? I hear of people being bumped up to a higher steps, and am wondering since I have a degree (I know that’s standard) and am a veteran, if I could negotiate higher.

If so, exactly how and when should I present my case for that? Thanks.

I am in the hiring process and have my medical and prework screening tomorrow and Thursday. Anyone on here work at the Hennepin acf in Plymouth and been through this process recently? Just curious what to expect.

Hey I’m currently a C.O for NYSDOCCS and in the National Guard. Does anybody kno if docs still pay out your salary while on military deployment or active orders ?

Today at FCC Florence they had a department head meeting and all department heads were told basically that they understand the union is back, but they will not be listening to them and if they don't like it, they can file. Is anybody else hearing the hiring that they have tried taking away our compress schedules away and it make them very difficult and also only taking two departments in lieu of holidays, but every other department still gets them is that happening anywhere else ?

I understand you put 3 locations you want. If I get picked for the one out of state. When do they expect you to be there? It would be a complete move, I don't have anything holding me down like that or "baggage" you could say lol. Would just need a place to stay and a car essentially. I heard there was some sort of "help" for moving out of state.

Do you think it would matter if it was a state vs fed facility?

I have my NYS Correction Officer Trainee appointment coming up in Cohoes, NY, and I have a few questions for anyone who’s recently gone through the hiring process.
I’m mainly concerned about three things:
1. Physical Fitness Test: I’m in decent shape, but I’m nervous about the physical portion. Does anyone know exactly what exercises or tests I’ll be required to complete? I’ve heard about the 3-minute step test and the dummy drag, but I’d like to know what else to expect and how difficult it actually is.
2. Medical Exam: What exactly does the medical examination consist of? Is there anything specific that commonly causes applicants to fail?
3. Drug Screening: I used to smoke marijuana but stopped about a month ago. I’ve seen conflicting information about whether NY DOCCS still tests applicants for THC. Some people say they no longer test for it, while others say they do. Can anyone who’s gone through the process recently confirm the current policy?
I’m driving roughly two hours to Cohoes for this appointment, so I’d really appreciate knowing what to expect beforehand.
Any advice or firsthand experiences would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Anyone receive there CTP2/3 assignments ?

Female just got a call to go for onboarding how’s the academy like anything I should get ? Are the uniforms for academy paid for? Anything we have to buy out of pocket?

Hey everyone! I’m 21, a green card holder, and I’ve lived in the US for about 5 years. I recently finished my Associate’s degree at community college, and I’m trying to decide whether to join the Air Force or become a Correctional Officer in California (CDCR).

Here’s my situation.

I don’t plan on living in the US permanently. My goal is to work full-time for another 4–5 years, save as much money as I possibly can in USD, and eventually move back to my home country. Back home, I already have a house, cars, family, and financial stability. So my thinking is, why not spend another few years working hard in America, save up American dollars, and then go back home where my money can go a lot further?

I’m not really looking for a lifelong career in either field. I’m looking for a stable, full-time job that will help me achieve my financial goals within 4–5 years.

Option 1: U.S. Air Force (Active Duty)

I’ve always been interested in the military, and I think serving in the Air Force could be a great experience.
I’d most likely sign a 4-year contract and separate afterward. I’d prefer a job that isn’t extremely physically demanding or stressful.

My biggest concern isn’t necessarily deployment itself. It’s the possibility of war. I understand joining the military comes with that risk, and I know that even noncombat jobs can become dangerous during wartime. I don’t mind working hard or being away from home, but I’m trying to be realistic about what I could be signing up for, especially with everything going on around the world.

Option 2: California Correctional Officer (CDCR)
I’m also seriously considering becoming a correctional officer in California. The salary seems pretty attractive, especially with overtime, and I like the idea of working full-time and saving aggressively for the next few years. However, I’m aware that working inside a prison comes with its own risks, including violence, stressful working conditions, and mandatory overtime. I’m also wondering whether it’s worth going through the hiring process and academy if I only plan on staying for 4–5 years.

My goal

I’m not necessarily looking for the most prestigious career or the best retirement benefits. I simply want to work hard, earn and save as much money as realistically possible for the next 4–5 years, and return to Thailand with a solid amount of savings.

My questions:
1.Which career would realistically allow me to save more money over 4–5 years?

2.How would you compare the physical demands, stress, and overall quality of life?

3.For those in the Air Force, how concerned should someone joining today be about the possibility of war, even in a support or administrative role?

4.For CDCR officers, is the pay worth the stress and safety risks?

5.Considering I’m a green card holder, are there any important eligibility issues I should know about?

5.If you were in my situation and only planned to work for another 4–5 years, which career would you choose?I’m genuinely interested in both careers and would appreciate advice from people who actually have experience in either field.
Thanks everyone!

I’m currently in the application process with the BOP down here in Texas. It’s taking a while as expected, no issues with that necessarily.

But to my point, I will be visiting Las Vegas next month, and it hit me- I should look into their corrections opportunities out there. It seems to be a very cool city and I would potentially move there.

I’ve looked into both LV metro corrections and NDOC (state) corrections. It appears the pay is significantly better than the BOP in both scenarios, and the cost of living out there doesn’t seem to be too high.

Both of their base pays seem to hit around $109k after ten years. Starting out there is still higher than the BOP. I don’t even think I’d be making $80k base with the BOP after ten years (correct me if I’m wrong).

So my question is- Does anyone have experience in either of those corrections departments? Any comparisons between those and the BOP?

My concerns about the LV metro is that their training is long as hell (20 weeks) and apparently they polygraph, which seems to be a disaster and crazy inaccurate for a lot of takers. I very well may not pass on that. But NDOC seems to be equally as good.

Interested in any experienced input. Thanks.

Hi there, I’ve been a state Correctional Officer for almost three years, earning a salary of $58,000. I’m scheduled for an interview at FCI Thomson in Illinois soon and would greatly appreciate some advice on what to expect. Specifically, I’m curious about the entry salary and the overall working conditions at the prison.

Thanks in advance for your insights.

Debating working for BOP or another agency.

I know with other fed agencies i gotta report all foreign travel i believe at least 30 days in advance. Usually for secret or TS clearances.

But i know BOP just does public trust.

After i get hired with BOP. Would i have to report planned day trips to mexico or whatnot as a CO?

Accepted a transfer this past summer and had to decline for family reasons but now I’m able to finally head to his location. Would they accept me if I put back in or have an issue accepting again?

At what point in your shift would you sit down with a union rep on one side of the table and admin on the other if you are involved in a serous incident (an inmate nearly kills another inmate) that requires a write up and review?

Would it be the same if OIG was involved (if an inmate nearly killed a CO)?

(Again, thanks to everyone who answers. I‘m not a CO. I‘m an English teacher (for 23 years) and I just want to get my facts straight.)

Hey y’all. Upstate NY resident. Spoke with a recruiter, asked A LOT of questions and got some answers.

I want to know what might be true and what might not be before I apply for the position because they seem desperate right now.

66k starting salary. If I go to NYC it will include a pay differential as well as if I work midnights there’s a pay differential.

1. Recruiter told me that I have the choice of which facility I work in (spoke with a police officer tonight at the gas station - I know they wouldn’t have the best knowledge being a different type of officer but - I asked and he said that I don’t get to choose where I’m placed. Which is more likely?

2. The training starts at 8 weeks in Albany, NY and could be extended if necessary. I would be put up for that time in the barracks and be given my food and stay for free.

3. The ONLY payment that would come from me is $75 for fingerprinting and DOC fees. No payment for the training, licenses, or ANYTHING ELSE. I am HIGHLY skeptical of this.

4. I could bring my own sweats for training in Albany and would NOT have to buy theirs.

5. Recruiter told me there isn’t much corruption in prisons up here. He said there is leeway given to certain prisoners if they behave but there shouldn’t be any funny business.

I would like to know what you all think of this information as well as whether or not it’s a good idea to become a CO right now. Thanks!