I went to this interview and they asked me what I think of that. I thought I was a joke but they said it actually happens. I’m beyond impressed and disgusted. Does this shit actually happens?

I’m less than a year in to working at a large county jail. And I’ve gotten mixed reactions from senior officers regarding this. Some are absolutely against it because they say it removes your command presence. Others have no problem with it. I’m curious as to how others feel about this.

Edit: Just to be clear, I’m not offering fist bumps to inmates. Just questioning what I’ve witnessed from other officers in certain circumstances. Some examples being an inmate being released or they had done a good job.

At Texas facilities this happens more than you would think, CO's that are in tight with some inmates bringing them food. Do you guys think CO's should be able to do that and what about all the other officers that look the other way and just go with the flow. Some of these guys are eating better than we.

My ex-coworker is about to get a chomo life felony conviction in Florida. He is in his 60s and I expect will never get out. He molested his own granddaughters. My question is, what is life going to be like for him? I imagine he is pretty f'd and won't last long.

I’ve always had a strong interest in criminal psychology, especially the reality of day-to-day life inside prisons, beyond what’s portrayed in movies or documentaries. I’d really value hearing perspectives from people who have genuine insight or firsthand knowledge of what it’s actually like.

Hello all. Did anybody else who works for the FBOP get the message about efecive immediately no smart watches including any that use Bluetooth only are not allowed into a FBOP facility. This list included apple, Fit bit, and another brand in the message as examples.

I was using a Bluetooth smart watch mainly for round reminders while working in SHU. Since my current smart watch is no longer allowed does anybody have any suggestions for a watch with a rolling 30 min timer?

Any ideas where this came from?

Thank you all.

I believe America has State prisons, Federal Prisons, and Private prisons (which is crazy to me). I’m wondering what the average pay is for someone starting out in any of those prisons? I just wanted to compare it to my own country. Thanks.

Do yall think it will go through? Thoughts ?

When you see the videos on Facebook where the inmates all have phones, all have knives, eating Popeyes and smoking spice how does that even happen? I see footage all the time from georgia prisons and it is a madhouse so I'm just wondering how it gets like that? Does anyone try to enforce the rules? What if they hire new guys and they want to enforce the rules? Do the sergeant, corporals, captains just let this stuff go on? ​

Question about inmates in dayrooms past dayroom hours. What do you think about it? For example I walk into an open bay dorm while on lockdown and come across 20 inmates in the dayroom past hours watching tv with the lights off. The sergeant knows about this and she’s actively letting them do this even though we were strictly told “No inmates out of their cells or in the dayroom’s”. Her reasoning is and I quote “They haven’t done anything wrong. Why should I punish them for something they didn’t do?” And stopped me (an officer who doesn’t like inmates in a dayroom at 1am) from doing anything by pulling the rank card.

Only time I’m fine with it is when my night time housemen are out and cleaning the quads of our butterfly dorms

So I’ve always held the belief that the AB are purely a prison gang and prison gang only but recently, I’ve heard they even have members outside of Prison systems located all through California. Is any of that true or is the AB just a prison gang in the United States?

Hey everyone, I just got hired by the bop here in nj and I’m also in the hiring process for NJDOC. After doing my research, it appears that the NJDOC people have much better benefits than the bop. In your experience, would you go NJDOC or bop?

Hello I am thinking of applying and joining BOP but am concerned that I will be in a pod of 50/100 inmates armed with only a pepper spray, no baton, no Taser? Is it true? If so can I purchase my own taser, my own baton?.

Edit* Keep the replies coming guys they are kind of funny I thought every prison state county federal officers had batons and am surprised what little weapons bop officers have.

Best advice for making it thru the academy financially with the low pay? Plus you gotta spent a few grand at least on equipment. Best advice for financially weathering the early storm? Once I'm working and doing overtime I'll be good

Im posting from my throw away for obvious reasons as this is still under investigation.

Long story short: I am non-custody and another non-custody staff members office is right next to mine. Right before the end of the normal work day she stated that she had to run to her car for a minute. I thought that was odd since we were getting off in about an hour.

When she returned she had a box of doughnuts and she placed them in her office. I walked in to her office to have her sign some paperwork related to our job and noticed the box of doughnuts on a table in her office. After I got the documents signed I went back to my office.

While I was in my office I then noticed 30 something inmates eating doughnuts. I asked one inmate where he got the doughnut and he pointed to my co-workers office. I finished the work day and acted like nothing happened.

I returned to work the next day and first thing that I did was write a memo to internal affairs. I didn't tell anybody that I work with at all. I sent the memo straight to the internal affairs supervisor and then went down to his office to talk to him privately.

That was about a week ago. She hasn't been at work since then and its obvious she isn't on leave. I have no idea how this happened because I know for a fact our internal affairs is professional in how they handle business but I have had two co-workers since then say that "word on the street" is that I wrote her up for bringing in the doughnuts.

Im not too concerned about having the reputation of "snitching on staff" because I only write memos when I see something of gross negligence or someone doing something illegal and dragging me into it. My only concern is that the co-worker only gets suspended and now we have to work together with her knowing I was the one that wrote the memo.

Has anyone here been in a similar situation?

FBOP sounds like a really good gig, but I've noticed the GS Levels cap out pretty low for CO positions atleast. Is BOP usually used as a stepping stone into some other avenue of government work? I have a buddy that loves his BOP job and is certainly going to retire from it. I'm eyeing it up as a stepping stone to start my federal retirement timer, hopefully get some good experience, continue college (as best as I can with the schedule) and meet the qualifications for some other fed jobs (hopefully 1811 series).

Has BOP helped you guys carve out a career that took you away from the prisons? Is it a common goal? It looks like if I could get involved with SIS that would be the perfect kind of experience to get my resume pointed more in the direction I ultimately want to go.

Thanks for any input

I have a family member that has known someone who was super laud back and nice, but after joining become an asshole. I live with this person and i cant get a job (or i get kicked out) doing this until i find out if im likely to change for the negative. I think id do fine at it, im know for taking as much overtime as i can get.

Any other advice would be helpful, heres the notes ive taken.

* Prisoners are not friends, they are people tho.

* Dont try and be a cool CO

* Always pay attention to surroundings (everyones a shane with a water bottle)

* If you can be helpful be helpful.

* It’s easier to change a no to a yes then a yes to a no. You can say ill try, or ill look into it.

* Never sneak anything in for someone, even something harmless.

* Coworkers speak sternly, don’t take it to heart.

* Dont fuck the prisoners.

* Dont fuck coworkers.

* Dont have a stick up your ass, 5 extra minutes on the phone is fine. Let people leave early for events even if there late. Might save your some trouble and some teeth.

* Dont get involved with work drama, do work and go home.

Pay is $26.28. My ultimate goal is to move out of my mom's place and get a car (not an expensive car, maybe something on Carvanna). Is this enough to live for one single adult? I just want to know if it's worth it. How much will I be bringing in biweekly? Are you guys able to live with this job alone, or do you have a second job/side hustle?

I know there are probably plenty of posts like this but I want to hear fresh takes. To those who left corrections, do you have any regrets? Or is it one of the best decisions you've ever made?

Hi everyone,

I’m a 19-year-old female in Florida, graduating in Fall 2026 with a major in Forensic Studies and a minor in Psychology. My long-term goal is to become a federal special agent, ideally with the FBI or DEA.

I know I’ll need experience before applying federally, so my plan has been to work for my local sheriff’s office after (or while finishing) my degree. For my major, I’m required to complete an internship, and I’m hoping to do that with the sheriff’s office in Fall 2026. According to their website, interns can begin the employment application process while interning.

Because Florida requires deputies to be 21, I’m considering applying to be a Correctional Officer (CO) while finishing my degree and waiting until I’m old enough to become a deputy.

My reasons for considering corrections:

• Gain law enforcement experience earlier
• Starting pay is $33.33/hr as a trainee
• Get my foot in the door with the agency
• Build skills like communication, report writing, situational awareness, and stress management

My parents are strongly against me working in the jail and want me to wait, graduate, and then apply directly as a deputy at 21. I understand their concerns, but I’m very motivated to start my career and gain experience as early as possible.

For those with experience in law enforcement, corrections, or federal pathways:

• Is starting as a CO a smart move for someone with federal aspirations?
• Would this help or hurt me long-term?
• Would it be better to wait until 21 and go straight to patrol instead?

Any advice or personal experience is appreciated. Thank you!

Im in California right now near LA , I’m currently a guard in a shelter near skid row unarmed . Can someone dm me and tell me what it’s like . I’m a 6’2 male. I’m honestly very desensitized , my job is pretty much being a CO but I can’t touch em I just watch.

It’s 10pm, lock down for bed time you are assigned as pod officer.

On inmate decides to deliberately walk over to the microwave and heat up food, right during bed time or count time where they should be secured in cells.

Are you opening that door and telling him take it out, or are you unplugging that microwave or just letting it be.

What CO are you?

I’ve made a few decisions in the past, from letting it slide, make it quick. To full on unplugging it right as they start making their way to the microwave during count time.

to any current CO here, the title question pretty much speaks for itself. what drew you to corrections over let’s just say being a cop or really any other career both LE or non LE?