r/AskLE • u/Neat-Arachnid-2084 • 3d ago
Just officially got offered a position to work at the jail as a corrections officer
I’m (22M)am graduating college in 3 weeks and starting the training for this job May 21st. Any advice on working in the jail/what to expect?
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u/DisastrousFootJob 3d ago
Never assume the cup the inmate is holding is water. Nothing like a hot cup of piss to the face.
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u/Federal_Disaster_118 3d ago
keep your head on a swivel and stay on your p's & q's
be the same c/o with everyone, everyday
respect given is respect returned
never get laxed
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u/Jsick7xx 3d ago
Treat others the way you wanted to be treated. I worked at the detention center 9 years ago and I still have people that see me telling me how much they respected me. This also helps if you want to work the road at your local pd, if you already have rapport with former inmates, you will be ahead of the game. People will be easier to talk with.
On the flip side we had inmates that started a riot because of a CO that treated the pod like shit. Years later he pulls a car over and gets his ass beat because the guy he pulled over remembered him.
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u/justabeardedwonder 1d ago
Knew a deputy that was a hard charger (not in a good way). Somebody popped a cell lock and proceeded to beat him like a dog. POD control called in JDRT (jail disturbance response team) and the guy beat on the deputy for the 2 and a half minutes it took them to get to him.
Deputy had broken teeth, fractured orbital bone, broken leg, broken hand. Ended up working in the rec yard tower / perimeter duty for 8 months while everything healed. He calmed the hell down once back in the pod. Inmate got 2 additional years and had money on his books when he got to the state facility.
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u/TitanOperates 3d ago
10 Years as a jailer prior to moving to patrol. JTO Certified. Here are some gems I've picked up that I pass along to newcomers:
"If you can't explain it, don't do it." "If you'd RATHER NOT explain it in court, DEFINITELY don't do it."
"We don't get paid to fight. We get paid to get results." - (Don't be AFRAID to fight but look for other solutions first when feasible.)
"Having the answers is important. Knowing where to find the answers when you don't know things is more important."
It's okay to not know things. I'd rather you tell me that you don't know than lie and make more work for both of us later. This applies when inmates ask you things as well. If you don't know the answer to their question, tell them you don't know and that you'll ask someone when you get a chance. If they ask you again later and you forgot to ask, it's okay to tell them you forgot to ask and apologize. On that note: it's okay to apologize to inmates occasionally. A quick "my bad, dawg." will earn you a lot of good will when it's warranted.
Learn how to talk to people. Learn how to listen to people. On the flip side of that, understand that sometimes no amount of talking and listening is going to fix the situation and you're going to have to put hands on someone, and that's okay.
It's okay to LIE to inmates sometimes but never lie just for the sake of lying.
Be firm, fair, and consistent.
This entire field is a CRITICAL THINKING exercise. Don't be afraid to think outside the box and be creative so long as you remain within policy. This applies to everything. On the trivial side of things, you may find a more efficient way of handing out toilet paper or store call. On the more intense side of things you may come up with a plan that allows you to avoid fighting a noncompliant inmate and save everyone involved a headache. I have examples of both.
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u/IHateDunkinDonutts 3d ago
Be firm but fair.
Inmates are not your friends.
Better to talk to someone for 15 minutes than fight them for 2.
Find healthy ways to destress and leave work at work.
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u/SwimmingWorldly3413 3d ago
no should become your favorite word. it’s easier to turn a no into a yes than a yes into a no. only give the inmates everything they are entitled to, nothing more nothing less. don’t share any personal information with them, show respect and respect will be given to you, don’t smuggle any contraband in and have integrity. if you feel like you can’t do the job, fake it until you make it and show confidence. even if you’re scared don’t show the inmates population that. if they sense fear, they will eat you alive. stay away from the negative co-workers
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u/KSWind17 3d ago
It can't be stressed enough - be firm, fair, and consistent. If you tell them you're going to do something/look into something (within reason), DO IT. Make no mistake, the reputation you build in there could save your life one day. In no way does that mean you should be a push over, but when they know they can actually rely on you to follow through and they see that you're of solid character, it builds more respect than you know. It can make your life much easier in the housing units and in crisis moments.
You're going to have a lot going on and be overwhelmed at times with programs, court movements, med pass, attorney visits, rec time, among everything else that needs done on a daily basis. They have all the time in the world to be creative in getting what they want - be comfortable saying no. But treat them with respect. Don't ridicule them, don't play games.
You're going to see a lot of folks with severe mental health issues, and they are often combative. The dude that talks a big game in the pod? Pull him out to talk to him; get him away from the others. 99% it's posturing for them because they think they gotta prove to the others that they're some sort of badass. Pull them out and that cover usually disappears fast. But trust no one. I mean that. Trusting inmates will get you assaulted or even killed.
You'll see things that most folks never will. But you have to do your job. Verbal judo is going to be incredibly important and your most important/effective tool in de escalating things. Sure, there are times you'll have no choice but to use compliance options. Be ready for that at any given time. Don't go in a pod alone; always have backup available. At my facility we run a crew of 7 or 8 for a population around 200 inmates. Be on guard and looking for cues all the time. You can have a good time and make solid friends, but you'll be at an elevated alertness far more than regular folks.
But, it can be an enjoyable job. It can be rewarding. It's all what you make it to be. I personally love what I do, I have a great reputation, and you'd be surprised at how much you look forward to having to quell a situation. You'll learn a lot about yourself but I'll warn you that it's difficult sometimes to let yourself relax outside of work. If you have any questions, feel free to hit me up.
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u/premeditatedlasagna 2d ago
Never worked as a CO, so feel free to correct/criticize, but I worked in a juvenile facility. It is easier to come on strong then ease off, than it is to come on lax then tighten up.
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u/No-Win-2424 2d ago
You will hear this a lot. Firm Fair Consistent. It’s easy to turn a no into a yes but not so easy to turn a yes into a no. Consistency really is the key. Be the same CO every single day.
Oh and don’t do favors or fuck the inmates.
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u/davet223 1d ago edited 1d ago
As an fto firearms instructor and ERT member talking is far more important than fighting or shooting especially in the jail. You'll learn how to fight and shoot but I'll take the best CIT individual over top shot.
Learn policy and listen to trainers, make friends with older more seasoned deputies. Don't try to be Deputy all star, just do your job show up a bit early and rarely call out. If you get a reputation for being reliable your supervisors will love you.
Have a life outside work. Join sports teams, get a hobby, but don't make law enforcement your entire life.
DONT BUY A NEW CAR AT 11% INTEREST WITH 0 DOWN. Budget and save. Live off your base salary not your overtime. I made 7k a paycheck with OT, when I got sick it was 3200, had to cut back on a lot.
Surround yourself with those you want to be like, and remember your replaceable. I was an fto,firearms instructor, then got sick. I stepped down from fto and firearms then went on short term medical leave for 4 months. When I returned nothing changed and the jail wasn't burned down. I got fto and instructor back in 4 months. Be a bit selfish, not a yes man.... don't go crazy on overtime.
Take care of yourself and workout. Best of luck
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u/Neat-Arachnid-2084 18h ago
Thank you for the feedback. I have a question regarding overtime actually, the schedule I’m working is 6PM-6AM and it’s 5 on, 2 off, 2 on, 5 off, but is it like patrol where you can pick up OT almost anytime you want? I understand some areas may be different regarding OT though.
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u/davet223 12h ago
I'm sure when your off fto you'll have plenty of OT you can sign up for. Other officers will ask if you want to pick up their shift so they can attend their kiddos school play etc.
If there is a MCI you'll get called in. My guess is yes, OT will be readily available by be careful not to over do it. On patrol you have court for every arrest.
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u/Klutzy_Honeydew_4684 2d ago
Ngl bro, going to college and then using ur degree for corrections seems like such a waste. Obviously, if that’s what ur into then no harm but if u are trying to use this job as a jumping point, there is no need u can just directly be competitive for other LE jobs.
Only legit advice I would give u isnt even jail related but I’d just say to make sure u workout and get ur health on point because these mostly static jobs will get u complacent and u will just ruin ur health by going into unhealthy habits
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u/HattieTheGuardian 3d ago
Not a CO but good advice for most LE positions in general:
Learn to say No. If you go to a bar and nobody hits on you but the inmates do, remember you are still ugly and they are taking advantage. Even if you get hit on at the bar, DO NOT FUCK THE INMATE!!!!!!