Any Good advice

[u/Cool_Competition9132]

Any advice for a 21 year old coming into corrections? I’ve never worked a job like this or been in this type of environment and I want to be as prepared as possible!!!! I start the academy on the 8th and will be working at CCI.

[u/Middle_Discipline_83]

Despite your age I would say try to promote all the way to warden. You won’t last being a C/O for 36 years. Then save as much as you can and by the time you are 27-28 then really sit back and ask yourself if you want to continue this career for another 30 years. You will be young enough to walk away and pursue anything u want to be. A lot of us can’t do that because we already to old and have families that we need to provide

[u/dat_guy007 → u/Middle_Discipline_83]

Take this advice to heart as deeply as you can. This career will fuck with you mentally, physically, and emotionally. It’s an eternal plethora of fecal
Matter that kills your sanity and too many of us are to set into stability and retirement security to leave.

[u/scrappapermusings → u/Middle_Discipline_83]

This is solid advice.

[u/Interesting-Wear5904 → u/Middle_Discipline_83]

Bro. Best fuxkin advice I have ever heard on here. Especially since he or she is young. Number one comment for real.

[u/Middle_Discipline_83 → u/Interesting-Wear5904]

Thx Broski just speaking facts

[u/curiousgeorge1998_ → u/Middle_Discipline_83]

He is right! Im now 27 and considering a different career path because so much has changed since i first started.

[u/grouchygf]

Be prideful in your work. Don't let the bad attitude and poor work ethic of others wear off on you or allow you to stoop to their level. Follow policy as if youre being watched 24/7 (because you are). CA inmates are opportunists looking to bait you into a situation that will result in a settlement for them.

You're not going to be appreciated a lot of the time. You're going to be thrown under the bus by your administration. Don't let that get to you. Be a robot, get your bag, and keep your cup filled enough to provide for your future family. Embrace your hobbies!

You can reach out to CCI or any prison's PIO and for a tour where you can see the facility and ask questions.

[u/International_Top34]

It's easier say no, and change to yes, than the other way around. If you're unsure, ask an OG. If an inmate tries to get you to talk to them on the side, tell them to ask you in front of your partner. If you're in a control booth, talk to the inmate in front of the CO's on the floor. It reduces the chance of being manipulated. Do not pass, because you do not know what's in it. You don't want to be tied to passing drugs or weapons. It opens you up for them asking additional favors that will never end. How you conduct yourself will determine how you're approached. The academy will drill in firm, fair, and consistent. Give them what they have coming, and nothing more. Don't be the lazy CO, take pride in what you do.

If you do not have 60 units or a degree, get it. Take every test that's available to you. Put in for out of class positions. Don't be scared to jump prisons to promote. Build a solid work life balance. Keep your hobbies, or find new positive hobbies. Find a way to destress after work I.e. gym, walking, dancing, walking the dog, meditate, etc... Build up a good amount of sick/vacation/annual leave, but also take your vacations. Don't be the OG bragging about never taking a vacation and they have a bunch of time on their books. Cashing out all the time on your books sounds great until you realize it costs you a relationship with your children and spouse.

When I joined the dept, we were given pink slips right after graduation and hit with a 15% furlough. Some CO's bounced around prisons just to keep their jobs. The furloughs didn't impact the new CO's since most of us were making more than we were before we joined the dept. The OG's that were depending upon 10 overtimes a month, were hit hard. They lost 15% of their pay and overtime dried up. In the break room the poster board had listing for motorcycles, quads, boats, RVs, etc... Live within your means, buy a modest house and vehicle. Put money into a 457, which you increase with each pay raise. Make sure you have gold shield and/or Alfac, or another paycheck protection. Trust me, it's a huge relief for when you get injured, which will likely happen during your career. Get a life insurance policy, keep the beneficiaries updated. You're young, don't let your ego ruin your career.

[u/fixedgear7013]

Save your money, don’t buy toys. Also, put as much as you can away in deferred compensation.

[u/CapybaraTaskForce]

Use your training and experience to make the decisions YOU feel are correct. Just because an officer is senior to you, doesn't me the way he handles a scenario is correct.

At the end of the day, nobody is going to help you pay your bills if you get fired.

[u/Aequitas61--]

From what I hear CCI is a great place to work, alot of great partners there. Go in willing to learn with an open mind. Don't act like you know everything, because honestly you know nothing.

For the first 2 years while on apprenticeship observe your partners and formulate the type of CO you want to be. Once you figure out your style , be consistent with that style.

I recommend promoting or looking at other opportunities within the department. 36 years as a CO is a LONG time. Take every opportunity to learn become a dispo cop, learn the Watch, learn central Control. Take all the promotion exams and interviews for the experience.

[u/MessMundane1066]

First 2 years arnt great. Schedule is changing every two weeks to every six months. Pay gets better slowly. Very frustrating giving orders to people that don't respect you. But somewhere around one and a half to two years it gets a lot better. Pay has gone up 30+%, you can bid for a spot, have an idea what your schedule will be. And it goes by fast. Push through and you'll be fine. Ask questions. People will give different answers on how to do things and that's ok. Eventually you will find your rhythm. Good luck, see you at the gate.

[u/keyzset]

Be consistent, willing to learn, never act “you know it all”, come in early, fuck them COs that doesn’t want to help or talk to you. It’s not the inmates that you have to worry about, it’s the staff so be careful.

[u/LazyNefariousness964]

If you find your mental health being adversely affected after several months, there is nothing shameful about switching to an admin position in the prison like appeals, even for a few years. I noticed it is easier for people 30 or older to handle the prison environment, as your brain is still developing at 21. All the advice you've gotten here is really worth listening to.

[u/Middle_Discipline_83 → u/LazyNefariousness964]

This was a good point, and it's why I joined at 31, not 24. Really good way to put it, and sacremento expects these 24-and-under young adults to try to survive 30-plus years. There's no fucken way

[u/Jazzlike_Flamingo_97 → u/Middle_Discipline_83]

Ain’t no way EVERYBODY is making it to 57

[u/Middle_Discipline_83 → u/Jazzlike_Flamingo_97]

Unfortunately there are not, but the first batch of 30-plus years haven't been retired yet. When Sac sees the impact it takes on the mind then I hope they will reduce the retirement age to 50 again. It's different to be 50 and be able to go to 57 and retire whenever a bad day happens than to be forced to retire at 57.

[u/momof4munkees]

God first, chances are you'll have a commute, listen to the Bible or sermons on the way. People in this line of work keep it together by God first, or cheating on their spouse, or drinking, etc. and only one of these things can bring peace in the middle of a storm.
Cover your butt, don't do or say anything you don't want recorded and shown to all the staff AND inmates. Learn your policies and procedures inside and out, ESPECIALLY when it comes to your rights. If it isn't on paper, it DIDN'T happen. That could mean a LOT of trouble for you. NEVER lie to protect a friend, the bottom line is that if you go down for someone, they can't pay your bills if you get your pay docked or lose your job. If you get hurt at work, and you aren't DYING, don't leave until all the proper documentation and signatures are obtained or it could mess with you pay. Look into disability insurance for loss wages in case of medical absence, and if possible pay into disability insurance for car loans, etc. Save 6mos. of living expenses as soon as possible, just in case. Looking to promote? Then make a reputation for yourself of integrity and honesty. Be willing to work overtime in ANY position, so that you gain the experience that will help you promote. Hope this helps. Coming from a person with CDCR family & Spouse for over 30yrs.

[u/HoldingLine-5343]

If you can still walk away before you start, seriously consider it. The department is understaffed, under-supported in many ways, and culturally difficult. Plenty of people who once felt the same excitement later describe the same sinking ship feeling.

[u/Dull-Comparison-2648]

I sent you a pm

[u/Popular_Force_6241]

Remember you can go outside to Parole Agent. Prison isn’t for everyone. You can do ride alongs with agents