Topic: The Club House / New Career

Daniel, I work in a county jail housing about 350 (up to 400 if needed). I have only been at this about 4 years, but I worked the floors for the first 2 1/2. I believe what has been said covers 99% of what you need to get started. However you will learn far more than these things as you progress in your new career if you stay with it. When I started I was coming off 10 years as a used car salesman. (OK OK quit laughing! It gave me good practice in dealing with “inmate types” lol!)

My first day of orientation we were given a packet that included a story written by an inmate who was and is very familiar with the system. It was called “DOWNING THE DUCK”. The story was true and was about the way inmates pick out a new guard to “befriend” and the step by step process they use to get the guard to do little things for them. These little things subtly become bigger and bigger until they have the guard where they want them. Then the guard cannot refuse to help them without getting into trouble. When I first read it I was skeptical of how it could be like that. Then I saw it up close happen to guards around me who started the same day I did. I say all that to say this: DON’T DO THE SMALL FAVORS FOR THE INMATES. YOU CAN AND WILL BE PULLED IN.

Where unit are you in the TDCJ/DOC?)

Topic: Security Central / Transport security

I handle federal inmate transport as a main position. However, on occasion I and my partner are asked to help out with transporting to and from the hospital and/or ER. When we transport the inmate is placed in “full restraint” (handcuffs, leg irons, belly chain.) On routine trips to the hospital (xrays, lab work, etc.) I tell the inmate he is going ONLY as he is being placed in the restraints. That way he has no way of getting word to outside help. The phones to his cell and those around it are turned off until we return. (Bummer for his cellies and neighbors! lol) My partner and I are both carrying Glocks. I tell the inmate just before getting in the transport van that “I have Tourette’s Syndrome and have not had my meds in a week.” (90% of the time this is a true statement! The other 10% I have only missed the meds a couple of days. lol) Seriously, we have never had a problem. Overnight hospital stays are a whole other Jerry Springer as far as security. Anytime an officer has to stay with an inmate overnight they are armed. Family and friends are not permitted to visit or make calls in to the inmates room. The inmate is not allowed to call out. Hospital staff members are instructed not to give out room information in person or on the phone.

If the inmate is considered an escape risk, every effort is made to have a doctor come to our facility. If the medical problem is not life threatening they don’t go. They see a doc when one CAN come to us.

A couple of times inmates have asked me, “Would you really shoot me?” My standard answer is to state the actual fact: “The gun isn’t for you. I can catch you with all that ‘jewelry’ on. The gun is for any of your friends and family that may have a problem with you staying in my care. But the answer to your question would be yes, if it came down to it.”

Topic: The Club House / Any suggestions for my prison toilet?

EBAY!!! lol

Topic: The Club House / Where in the world are you

Mick, are you the Warden?

Topic: The Club House / A Select Few.

We have had a couple of officers told recently that one or more of our inmates belonging to the AB (white supremest gang) has put a hit out for them. They are rampant around here. Makes me feel like I live in the sewer with all those turds floating around. One officer got a letter at his home from them saying he was marked.

So many turds. So little toilet paper. lol

Topic: The Club House / Losing control

Wow! I hate that I am getting in on this a year late, but I gotta comment. (It’s just my nature to speak my mind where idiots and criminals are concerned.)

Noneya has got to be a former inmate. The way they stand up for the inmate and talk plenty of $##! about the rest of us!? Come on? THAT’S an inmate posting without doubt! Or at least an inmate in the making. We have had approximately 6 female guards fired from our facility for shacking up with or dating former inmates. THIS sounds like how it gets started.

As for the topic itself: I believe we coddle the inmate too much. FAR TOO MUCH! In the facility where I work there are older (job wise) guards who are related to many of the “repeaters.” They give them more slack and that gets around to other inmates who try to leverage it when they don’t get their way. Those type guards make a dangerous job potentially deadly. I tell new guards to avoid confrontation if possible but to be ready to react if the situation calls for it. There is a time for “talking down off the ledge” and there is a time for a “ride on the lightening” (that’d be the Taser Noneya) or a dash of pepper.

As for the “victimization of offenders” stuff…well, stay the hell outta jail and it won’t happen. I’s like I tell all the inmates who complain about the jail and staff: “If you don’t like the rules, BOND OUT and don’t come back!”

For the record I DO HAVE two categories of inmates I don’t give a rat’s rear end about. That’d be the child sex offenders and the child abusers. They can rot in the hole then rot in Hell for all I care. Sorry folks, that’s just the Redneck in me.

Topic: The Club House / Correctional T-Shirts

Great stuff man. Nice web site, too.

Topic: Juvenile Jam / Juvenile records for sex offenders question

My wife asked a very good question that I believe I answered correctly, but want to be sure. Can anyone in the Juvenile or adult ranks help out?

The question was: If a 16 yr old is convicted of sexual assault will the record be available (or open) when they reach adult status?

My answer was that the record will be sealed since they are a minor (or “child” as the state of Texas refers to anyone under 17). I also believe that it will remain sealed unless they commit another crime of the same nature after they are adults. Is this right, or do the records remain sealed forever?

I spent a year as a court transport officer in county court at law and am basing my answer off of what I saw there. The problem is that I don’t remember seeing an exact case of this.

Any help would be great. Just trying to verify my answer.

Thanks!

Topic: Health & Wellness / Are COs tested yearly for TB?

Jail Standards (the governing body/organization for county jails) says we have to test for TB on inmates within 7 days of intake. If we have medical information from a transferring facility showing where they have already been tested, or we have had them in our facility (too often the case!) we do not re-test them until a year has passed. As a CO/DO we are tested on or before our anniversary date every year. (Once I pissed off the nurse BAD just before my due date. I had to make amends quickly!! lol)

Topic: The Club House / Where in the world are you

I AM IN SEAGOVILLE AT THE BOP NEARLY EVERY WEEK DROPPING OFF FEDS AND, NOW AND THEN, PICKING UP A COUPLE. DOES HE WORK IN THE R&D (INTAKE) DEPT.? ACTUALLY WORK ABOUT 55 MILES FROM IT.

BTW…YOU ARE RIGHT ON THE $$$ ABOUT OUR GREAT STATE! NO DISRESPECT INTENDED TOWARD ANYONE ELSES STATE. BUT Y’ALL KNOW HOW WE GET DOWN HERE! LOL

WHERE IN TEXAS ARE YOU?

Topic: The Club House / Where in the world are you

I work for the county SO in the jail. After nearly three years as a floor officer and a Court Transport Officer I made a step up a year ago to Federal Transport dept. We transport federal inmates for the US Marshals Service who are house with us under contract. I am in North Texas, near Dallas.

What units are you guys and ladies at?

Kinda wondering if anyone here is at the Polansky unit near Huntsville. (I believe that is right. It’s a death row unit here in Texas.)

Topic: The Club House / Pros and cons to working in a jail or a prison,which is better?

Too many cameras in Jails.

Topic: The Club House / story of a stupid inmate

Sounds fair to me!

Topic: The Club House / If corrections had a slogan what would it be?

I don’t sweat and I don’t run. Don’t make me shoot you.

Topic: The Club House / If corrections had a slogan what would it be?

This is a Taser. It’s 50,000 volts of pistol griped, laser guided act-right. Do you feel lucky punk?