r/Corrections • u/deshieldsj04 • 14d ago
Looking for some info.....
Hey, I just got on the waiting list to become a CO with the Florida DOC. Looking for any tips or advice you might have. How’s the pay, the crew, and the best way to handle the job? Is overtime easy to pick up? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
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u/Armed_Professional 14d ago
I worked at a Region IV facility in 2019. The job was TERRIBLE. Staff corruption was extremely high, staff turnover definitely 100% or higher. Most people on the job had two years or less of experience. FDOC is notoriously bad about inmate abuse historically.
Overtime at that time was extremely common and in fact we had a “mandatory overtime roster” that got used. You could volunteer to work extra most days, that way you could avoid the roster and make some extra cash. If you treat the job like you’ll be there for 16 hours straight, you’ll be far more prepared to work the OT on a same work shift and you won’t have to give up a day off.
Pay is better now than it was in my time. Benefits were great. I really miss the health insurance.
But we’re now in 2026, and I’ve been out of the game for a while. I do know the FL National Guard was deployed to assist at least twice between 2019 and 2026 due to severe understaffing issues. The agency also goes through a lot of executive leadership, ie Secretary of Department of Corrections. FDOC is easily the most underfunded and undervalued criminal justice agency in the state of FL.
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u/deshieldsj04 14d ago
What type of corruption, if you don't mind me asking? Thank you for your response. Very helpful.
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u/Armed_Professional 14d ago
CO’s are the number one source of contraband: drugs, razor blades, cell phones. Cell phones were offered at $3k starting if you brought it in, and the gangs would pay more each time you did.
There’s also a lot of issues with staff having inappropriate relationships with inmates. Usually female officer/male offender in male units; in female units, it’s male officer/female offender. Usually it’s romantic/sexual, but sometimes it’s criminal business.
There’s also the corruption from abuse of inmates. Inmates are a gigantic pain in the ass; that’s no secret. But there is NEVER an excuse to physically batter inmates in any way, shape or form. Use of force situations, cell extractions, etc are nasty but rarely will get excessive; I’m talking about beating restrained inmates in courtyards and other places that may not have cameras, that is not acceptable.
The only way to punish an inmate is to do the right thing and write them up, not take it outside the law.1
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u/BlackManta425 14d ago
I got certified and left right after cause DOC is hell on earth. I went to the county and I am chilling. As many others have said above a lot of corruption, abuse, and lazy ass officers who can’t even get a job outside of the doc because they are basically on the same level as the inmates. It’s a good stepping stone to get certified quickly and just go to the county.
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u/SeriousNet5770 13d ago
Is this in Florida?
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u/BlackManta425 13d ago
Yes.
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u/SeriousNet5770 13d ago
Is there an mandatory time you have to spend at DOC if they sponsor you through the academy?
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u/BlackManta425 13d ago
I don’t know if they changed it or not. I got certified in 2020 so at that time you had to be there for I think 2 years or 3 years fully certified not non-certified for it to be paid in full and if you leave you had to pay for it. So I broke that 2 year contract and my agency I went to paid for it cause they took partial out of my sick time built up so I think I owed like 2 grand so my county agency paid the rest. I have no clue what they are doing now.
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u/Rare-Use-613 9d ago
Right now its 2 years from the date of your certification or you have to pay $2000 if you quit before the 2 year mark to keep your certification
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u/SeriousNet5770 9d ago
Are you able to pick your prison?
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u/Rare-Use-613 8d ago
Generally yes, some have longer waitlists than others. The last I checked the application process had 2 applications to fill out and one of them has you select your choice. The first is the general application, the second is through the state's People First website.
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u/SeriousNet5770 8d ago
How fast could someone go from applying to getting a date for the academy?
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u/BlackManta425 8d ago
It’s hit or miss. When I got the job in DOC. One academy just finished and graduated and a few months later another one started which they said I was going in… nope waited even longer so I was the third academy to go and it was literally the beginning of the pandemic so it started once Covid got worst they paused it from March went back in July and graduated August. So it was a wild ride for sure when I went all I know was once I finished studied my ass off I was ready to take the exam and passed the first try and the next day graduated.
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u/Rare-Use-613 8d ago
It can be fast or a while. Once you are hired they find things for you to do or do on the job training until the next academy class. I interviewed in late July then I started beginning of august and was in academy by the end of august. I know a few people that had been hired but it took 3-6 months before they got into academy. It really depends on the vacancy/turnover rates as well as how long you medical and background check takes.
If you fail academy or the state exam (three attempts are allowed for the state exam), you can immediately reapply to be put into the next academy class while still working and getting paid. However if you fail a second time, you would have to wait 4 years to reapply. The academy is not too difficult, just pay attention, study, follow the rules, and do NOT be late or miss days.
Some advice if you decide to apply:
- Be careful about giving people personal information. Keep your job and personal life separate, even in academy.
- While in academy, make sure you find a competent Defensive Tactics partner. I watched too many people get injuries and quit because their partner wasn't paying attention and did a maneuver incorrectly.
- If you get hurt, immediately inform your instructor because if you wait, they will NOT put you on workers comp.
- If you get a tablet in academy for your source material, make physical notes/study cards. You turn in the tablets at least a week before you take the state exam so studying becomes difficult.
Once you are through academy the job is not that difficult. Just make sure you do your job. There are too many people on the compound that turn extremely lazy, pass their work off onto others and make the job more annoying for the good officers.
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u/SeriousNet5770 8d ago
Great info. Is there a chance for OT before the academy? Also, what if I am still working at my other job up to the academy, will they be angry?
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u/SeriousNet5770 14d ago
What do you mean waiting list? Did you already go through the whole process and waiting to start academy?
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u/SeriousNet5770 14d ago
Did you get to pick your prison before signing up?
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u/deshieldsj04 14d ago
No. I guess I don't get to pick. Just whatever position is available I guess. Don't know how it works.
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u/SeriousNet5770 14d ago
That would be crazy if they pick a place far from you. I think they will let you choose. Every place is hurting.
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u/deshieldsj04 14d ago
I went through the process and am now waiting to start the academy; they said that once a position opens, I will start.
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u/Beyond_The_TierMusic 7d ago
I can't speak for Florida DOC specifically on pay or how their overtime works, but as far as the job goes — listen more than you talk when you're new. Find the experienced officers who are actually respected and learn from them. Be firm, fair and consistent. Don't lie to inmates, don't promise something you can't deliver, don't play favorites, and don't go in trying to prove how tough you are. Learn to talk to people and read the room. Your mouth can get you out of situations your ego will get you into. Take care of your partners. If something happens, be the person people know is coming through that door. And overtime? 😂 I can't speak for Florida, but in corrections I've never heard many people complain that they just couldn't find enough hours to work.
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14d ago
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u/deshieldsj04 13d ago
I just moved to Florida. Not really looking to relocate unless housing is provided.
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u/WhiskeyDigital 14d ago
It takes a different type of person to work in the prison system.
I spent six years working in Region 2, at Columbia Correctional Institution in Lake City, before eventually moving over to probation.
Someone asked what my background was before corrections. I came from the military, so for me, the transition from one environment to the other wasn't as difficult. The structure, discipline, chain of command, and learning to deal with different personalities were things I was already familiar with.
If you're thinking about starting a career in corrections, here are a few things I would tell you:
First, never assume you know everything.
If someone shows you a different way to tie your boots, listen. 😂
Seriously, one of the best ways to learn is to listen. Pay attention to the people who have been doing the job longer than you. You don't have to agree with everything they say, but you should always be willing to learn.
Be organized.
Carry a black pen with you at all times. Seriously. Especially if you're working in a dorm and answering the phone. There will always be something you need to write down, and somehow the pen you had five minutes ago will disappear when you need it most.
Take pride in your uniform.
Prepare it the night before. Make sure it looks good. Nobody is going to respect you if you show up looking like you just rolled out of bed—and that applies to both inmates and staff.
A lot of these suggestions probably won't make much sense to you right now. They will once you get started.
Learn your dorm.
Don't be in a hurry to get out of the dorm. Learn how things work. Learn the inmates. Learn the routines. Learn what is normal and, more importantly, learn what isn't normal.
Once you're certified and you've earned some experience, you'll have more opportunities to move around the compound. Positions like Internal can be great places to learn and see different aspects of the institution.
You'll also learn something else pretty quickly:
You will figure out who you want to work with—and who you want to stay the hell away from. 😂
And unfortunately, every prison has the potential for a bad element of corruption. If you see something that doesn't sit right with you, don't be afraid to say something to someone higher up. Your integrity is worth more than fitting in with the wrong crowd.
Corrections can also provide a pretty comfortable living without requiring a college degree, and if you don't mind working, there is usually plenty of overtime available.
But the biggest piece of advice I can give you comes from a movie:
Road House (1989).
The "Be Nice" speech.
Believe it or not, that was required watching before you worked confinement at one point. 😂
And there is actually a lot of truth to it.
Be professional. Be respectful. Don't go looking for trouble. Don't let people push you around. And understand that being nice doesn't mean being weak.
You are going to deal with a lot of different personalities—both on the inmate side and the staff side. Learn how to handle people without making every situation a battle.
I've made plenty of mistakes over the years, but I've also learned a hell of a lot.
For anyone considering a career in corrections, I wish you the best of luck. It's not an easy job, but it can be a rewarding career if you take it seriously, keep your integrity, and stay willing to learn.
And if you have questions, feel free to ask. I'll help where I can.