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Why I am Going to be No Longer a Corrections Officer.
12 years ago
This has been coming for a prolonged period of time. Even before I set foot on a block. I feel the need to place this out in the open as a caveat for any person in a job such as mine, where certain conditions are not met and a litany of negative factors push people out of a unique and (to me) thoroughly enjoyable profession. In lieu of so many issues myself and other officers are up against, I have compiled a list of reasons for why I am leaving:
1. Lack of a contract - Our department is detested by our county. Funding will come in spurts, and when it does, the money goes to new inmate uniforms or paint for a block that has just been re-done. We have not had a contract since June 2010. I have been with the department for three years and still make entry level pay. Some have been there over eight and also make entry level, and they are phenomenal COs. Our union is headed by people who for the most part have no idea on how to compromise.
2. Failure to adequately man the building - I cannot count how many times I have seen units get locked down because of our leadership's failure to hire new officers and provide incentives for hard work. Many times I have begun my shift assigned to a block, had it under control, and was pulled to a different unit. Hard work is not recognized. Shanks and weapons have been found by good COs, but there are no discussions of special duties/assignments or handshakes from leadership.
3. Lack of concern for officer safety - My radio is my lifeline. Without it I am like a an Aircrewman without his LPU or helmet. I tried repeatedly to get a better radio, as mine would die halfway into the shift. We also are not allowed to purchase our own radios. Safety is not adequately taught in training (my next subject). My big thing is explaining the myriad of actions to new officers that will keep them and their partner safe. A jail is teeming with so many dangers. New officers will be assigned to maximum security units without knowledge of how to handcuff an inmate or even search a cell. A short time ago I was assigned to such a unit with a new officer. I was searching cells on the upper tier. My partner had no idea where I was.
4. Lack of training - our "training" consists of burying one's head in a book for a week, then being cast off into the jungle. There is no organized training. No training on proper use of restraints, creating different scenarios with unruly inmates, how to provide medical attention, how to search a cell, etc. It is up to the line officers to teach these essential skills that should have been covered in the person's first week in the building. County officers in my state must attend an "academy" to be certified. I went after 14 months, whereas other counties send their COs BEFORE they hit the blocks. Our county is also the wealthiest in the state. Why can't we send our new hires there first?
I have many other reasons, but I am tired of writing this. Message me if you want to hear more.
1. Lack of a contract - Our department is detested by our county. Funding will come in spurts, and when it does, the money goes to new inmate uniforms or paint for a block that has just been re-done. We have not had a contract since June 2010. I have been with the department for three years and still make entry level pay. Some have been there over eight and also make entry level, and they are phenomenal COs. Our union is headed by people who for the most part have no idea on how to compromise.
2. Failure to adequately man the building - I cannot count how many times I have seen units get locked down because of our leadership's failure to hire new officers and provide incentives for hard work. Many times I have begun my shift assigned to a block, had it under control, and was pulled to a different unit. Hard work is not recognized. Shanks and weapons have been found by good COs, but there are no discussions of special duties/assignments or handshakes from leadership.
3. Lack of concern for officer safety - My radio is my lifeline. Without it I am like a an Aircrewman without his LPU or helmet. I tried repeatedly to get a better radio, as mine would die halfway into the shift. We also are not allowed to purchase our own radios. Safety is not adequately taught in training (my next subject). My big thing is explaining the myriad of actions to new officers that will keep them and their partner safe. A jail is teeming with so many dangers. New officers will be assigned to maximum security units without knowledge of how to handcuff an inmate or even search a cell. A short time ago I was assigned to such a unit with a new officer. I was searching cells on the upper tier. My partner had no idea where I was.
4. Lack of training - our "training" consists of burying one's head in a book for a week, then being cast off into the jungle. There is no organized training. No training on proper use of restraints, creating different scenarios with unruly inmates, how to provide medical attention, how to search a cell, etc. It is up to the line officers to teach these essential skills that should have been covered in the person's first week in the building. County officers in my state must attend an "academy" to be certified. I went after 14 months, whereas other counties send their COs BEFORE they hit the blocks. Our county is also the wealthiest in the state. Why can't we send our new hires there first?
I have many other reasons, but I am tired of writing this. Message me if you want to hear more.
Digi_AZ
~digiaz
I know how you feel. My dept has been heading down this dark path as well. I too, will also be leaving in the next 2-3 years if not sooner. And when I do, I will never look back. Its sad when I fear my admin more than the inmates.
ltfox
~ltfox
OP
Ow. Sorry to hear that man. Admin does indeed need to be watched out for. I'll miss the people I work with and the job itself, but sacrificing every weekend, holiday, and with zero chance of getting vacation time, for a job with no pay raise or opportunity for advancement, I won't miss at all.
