[chunkymunkey]

Is anyone here a correctional officer? Or know of someone who is a correctional officer and know their experience with being one? Is the job hard? How about the pay or shifts?

Does anyone know what you need to become a correctional officer? Highschool diploma, degree, etc? Is the job slack to get into?

[quasi]

I'm sure the requirements are posted in any job link with any of the correctional services.

There is also different types, provincial or Federal. Since jails are open 24/7 I'd imagine that the shifts very big time and when you start your probably working a lot of nights, weekends and holidays. I'm not stating a fact as someone who's done it but it would just seem likely.

My Aunts been doing it for over 20 years she'll get a pension unfortunately she also contracted tuberculosis from the jail which is something there is no cure for. She spends her days babysitting pedophiles and sex offenders in a halfway house now which means doing a bunch of days in a row followed by a bunch of days off. She did the parole officer bit for a while but she didn't like it.

[TekDragon]

What Quasi said. it's a 24/7 environment. Get used to missing family events, holidays, etc. You'll be in a "high risk" environment, depending on where you are placed at. And it is basically babysitting people who have had decision making rights revoked.

[billboa]

a couple friends parents do it and it seems like a pretty good job. one is a lady who works at mountain she makes pretty good money and dosen't mind the job at all. She just got promoted to the person who is in the gym and pretty much just signs out balls all day for 55,000 a year. she works 12 hours a day, IIRC it was like 4 days on then 4 days off.

I also am very interested in the job but unfourtently my father was in and out of prison since we has 18 and has been to most of the prisons in BC. I have heard that if one of your family members have been in that speicif prison then you can't work there. which makes total sense so im kinda fucked unless I wanna relocate.

[03c0upe]

I know 2 ppl who do this one doesnt like the job, the other doesn't mind it. The shifts are going to be messed up. Anything from working 2 day shifts and 2 night shifts, 4 days off. Your shifts include 8 hr shifts and 12hr shift rotation. But ya i heard at the provincial jail if you are new you are pretty much on call, so you dont have a set schedule.Other than that i heard its a chiller job.

[mgarba]

Don't do it, I worked in Corrections for a couple months as an officer. One of the worst jobs of my entire life.

[murd0c]

Don't do it, I worked in Corrections for a couple months as an officer. One of the worst jobs of my entire life.

did you get raped?

[impactX]

BC or Federal Corrections?

[chunkymunkey]

BC or Federal Corrections?

whats the difference between BC or Federal Corrections? I'm planning either Fraser Regional Correctional Center, Surrey Pretrial or North Fraser Pretrial.

[chunkymunkey]

a couple friends parents do it and it seems like a pretty good job. one is a lady who works at mountain she makes pretty good money and dosen't mind the job at all. She just got promoted to the person who is in the gym and pretty much just signs out balls all day for 55,000 a year. she works 12 hours a day, IIRC it was like 4 days on then 4 days off.

I also am very interested in the job but unfourtently my father was in and out of prison since we has 18 and has been to most of the prisons in BC. I have heard that if one of your family members have been in that speicif prison then you can't work there. which makes total sense so im kinda fucked unless I wanna relocate.

so if a family member has been in prison you can't apply for that specific prison? what if u were just visiting a friend? does that count too? but what does that have to do with anything? what if the person was there like 5 years ago?

[chunkymunkey]

Don't do it, I worked in Corrections for a couple months as an officer. One of the worst jobs of my entire life.

if u don't mind me asking, how come? was it easy for you to get in though?

[chunkymunkey]

does anyone know why they require a class 5 to apply? what does that have to do with being a correctional officer?

[chunkymunkey]

What Quasi said. it's a 24/7 environment. Get used to missing family events, holidays, etc. You'll be in a "high risk" environment, depending on where you are placed at. And it is basically babysitting people who have had decision making rights revoked.


but i heard that holiday is really good though?

[mgarba]

I worked at North Fraser Pretrial. Wasn't too hard to get in, you have to do all the pre-recs and stuff which was a pain. Just wasn't a good environment to be honest with you, you're exposed to disease, and you're in a jail, who wants to be in a jail? You're on call, you don't know your sched either. Plus you're constantly watched by your superiors at all times of the day, you feel like a prisoner within the prison to your superiors, which is a horrible feeling.

You need a Class 5 because you would likely be driving on escorts to hospitals for inmates who need special aid, or court, although usually the Dep Sheriff would be driving.

[willystyle]

I worked at North Fraser Pretrial. Wasn't too hard to get in, you have to do all the pre-recs and stuff which was a pain. Just wasn't a good environment to be honest with you, you're exposed to disease, and you're in a jail, who wants to be in a jail? You're on call, you don't know your sched either. Plus you're constantly watched by your superiors at all times of the day, you feel like a prisoner within the prison to your superiors, which is a horrible feeling.

You need a Class 5 because you would likely be driving on escorts to hospitals for inmates who need special aid, or court, although usually the Dep Sheriff would be driving.
Do you know if this is the same situation with VPD Jail?

[impactX]

haha, VPD jail has a more hazardous environment. I am sure you will learn a lot there, but you will also want to learn all that you can learn and get the heck out of there.

[fliptuner]

Things to note:

1. The pay isn't the greatest, probably starting in the low $40K area but I'm sure benefits are good.
2. Hours suck. Usually 4 on/4 off, 12hr shifts 1 month/8hr shifts next month
3. You're gonna get mind-fucked by inmates on a regular basis - threatened, offered bribes, manipulated, etc. So you better have a strong personality and be smart in dealing w/ people.
4. On night shifts, expect to be mind-numbingly bored.

If you want job security and a pension, I suppose it's a good option. I just couldn't deal with the repetition and environment.

[chunkymunkey]

I worked at North Fraser Pretrial. Wasn't too hard to get in, you have to do all the pre-recs and stuff which was a pain. Just wasn't a good environment to be honest with you, you're exposed to disease, and you're in a jail, who wants to be in a jail? You're on call, you don't know your sched either. Plus you're constantly watched by your superiors at all times of the day, you feel like a prisoner within the prison to your superiors, which is a horrible feeling.

You need a Class 5 because you would likely be driving on escorts to hospitals for inmates who need special aid, or court, although usually the Dep Sheriff would be driving.


is it mandatory for a class five? cuz i only have my L right now.

[willystyle]

haha, VPD jail has a more hazardous environment. I am sure you will learn a lot there, but you will also want to learn all that you can learn and get the heck out of there.
Why would you say VPD jail is more hazardous compared to other correctional facilities in BC?

if any, I would think VPD jail is less dangerous since they only house inmates who are sentenced to 2 years or under.

is it mandatory for a class five? cuz i only have my L right now.
No, it's not, they are gonna allow you to slap a "L" sign on the back of a VPD vehicle, so that you can escort them to a medical facilitiy. :rolleyes:

Also, judging that you only have a "L", I will assume that you are still in your teens, good luck trying to get in while you have little life experience.

[chunkymunkey]

Why would you say VPD jail is more hazardous compared to other correctional facilities in BC?

if any, I would think VPD jail is less dangerous since they only house inmates who are sentenced to 2 years or under.


No, it's not, they are gonna allow you to slap a "L" sign on the back of a VPD vehicle, so that you can escort them to a medical facilitiy. :rolleyes:

Also, judging that you only have a "L", I will assume that you are still in your teens, good luck trying to get in while you have little life experience.

Dude, i'm over the age of their age requirement.

What about the people who don't have a licenses and isn't planning to get one?

[chunkymunkey]

Is anyone currently working at the North Fraser or Surrey Pretrial?

[willystyle]

Dude, i'm over the age of their age requirement.

What about the people who don't have a licenses and isn't planning to get one?
Simple, they don't become correctional officers. There's a reason why Class 5 DL is listed in their requirements.

[willystyle]

Things to note:

1. The pay isn't the greatest, probably starting in the low $40K area but I'm sure benefits are good.
2. Hours suck. Usually 4 on/4 off, 12hr shifts 1 month/8hr shifts next month
3. You're gonna get mind-fucked by inmates on a regular basis - threatened, offered bribes, manipulated, etc. So you better have a strong personality and be smart in dealing w/ people.
4. On night shifts, expect to be mind-numbingly bored.

If you want job security and a pension, I suppose it's a good option. I just couldn't deal with the repetition and environment.
1. I don't mind the pay, not planning to make it a career anyway.
2. That's how it is for most Law Enforcement jobs. I don't think I would mind it, it's not like you'll never get a weekend off.
3. Not worried, I've been working in the Downtown Eastside long enough to know what that feels like.
4. Great!

[fliptuner]

I've heard of several guys I know going from Corrections to Customs. I think it's more money and they seem to like it.

The good thing about 4 on/off, is 4 off part. You can get a lot done compared to a 2 day weekend. The 12 hour months can be a bitch by the 4th day.

[willystyle]

Unfortunately, the CBSA is not recruiting for Lower Mainland anymore at the moment.

[impactX]

Why would you say VPD jail is more hazardous compared to other correctional facilities in BC?

if any, I would think VPD jail is less dangerous since they only house inmates who are sentenced to 2 years or under.


No, it's not, they are gonna allow you to slap a "L" sign on the back of a VPD vehicle, so that you can escort them to a medical facilitiy. :rolleyes:

Also, judging that you only have a "L", I will assume that you are still in your teens, good luck trying to get in while you have little life experience.

VPD jail is run by the VPD (the Vancouver pretrial center closed down long ago and the jail side has been taken over by the VPD from BC Corrections in 2006, the jail itself doesn't house ANY inmates, they only house prisoners who got freshly arrested and are waiting to appear before a JP). Pretrial centers, like North Fraser, house inmates who are sentenced up to 2 years.

Here is the list of hazards:

1) When people get freshly taken off the street, they are usually pissed. So you will most likely be dealing with disgruntled prisoners who aren't cooperative, and you are responsible for searching them, booking them (fingerprinting [up close and personal with a prisoner who just pissed and shat all over himself], and photographing chronic drug users who's been up for days [good luck getting the prisoners to open their eyes and having people sitting behind their desks at 312 Main criticizing you of how much better you should take the photographs]) and telling them that they are not getting out of jail tonight.

2) Cops on the street usually aren't able to do a thorough search on the prisoners, so you pretty much are the first real line of defense against contrabands in the jail. You will find weapons, bunk drugs, real drugs, needles, pins, lighters... all sorts of things. Even if you think you did a thorough search, what you will see will surprise you, such as a prisoner who got fully searched burning his own poop with a lighter in his own cell.

3) Your only protective gear is the stab-resistant vest, try wearing some protective gloves and you will risk not able to feel anything on your hand and not able to do a thorough search.

4) You don't know what disease the prisoners have. The usual ones are Hep C and HIV. With the compromised immune systems that the prisoners have, they usually have TB, which is highly contagious and you won't know until they tell the doctor.

By the time they get to any pretrial center, whether remanded or sentenced, the prisoners / inmates would have been searched multiple times, by the cops, by the jail special constables and by the sheriffs. They get to shower at the pretrial center, get new cloths prior to the transfer. Compared to the VPD jail, the jail is definitely more hazardous in terms of hygiene.

After you've been to the VPD jail, you will find that your garbage at home smells wonderful and you will be able to tell the difference between the smell of rotten feet and the smell of ass.

[willystyle]

So, are you saying that Pretrial centers are better?

[impactX]

I think you will be dealing with a different kind of dangerous environment... eg: you vs a whole unit of 20-40 inmates? And without seniority, you won't be working in position such as control room (from what I've heard from an ex-colleague of mine who worked in BC Corrections and now in the RCMP).

[willystyle]

I'm not gonna lie, your informative responses are giving me second thoughts about going into corrections now.

1 officer to every 20-40 inmates? are there any backup or what? is that the same deal with VPD Jail too?

were you in corrections?

[impactX]

I've worked in the VPD previously and I wrote them a training manual about a year after VPD took over the jail. It's different with the VPD, you will have immediate backup, at the same time, you will also get your hands dirty almost every day because of the reasons I've listed above. Being lied to about having nothing in their pockets and then finding frigging used needles in their pockets are all so common and are part of the risk you have to take. Eg: I got a used needle stick injury through no fault of my own when I was about to leave the VPD, it kinda put things into perspective.

From what I've heard, the inmates are usually pretty well behaved at the pretrial centers and I have heard stories from my then-supervisor (who's ex-BC corrections) that if you aren't an asshole, some inmates would help you if there are inmates who want to harm you. Yeah you will have back up... but most likely from a different location than yours (eg: different unit). You will rely on your emergency transmitter to call for help. Once you press it, other officers will all run to your location.

It really depends on what you are after for your career. Other than the police agencies and BC Corrections, there are also Federal Corrections (the environment is kind of grim according to a buddy of mine who's from Federal Corrections and now in the RCMP) and BC Sheriff who (usually) gets Saturday and Sunday off because the courts don't open on Saturday and Sunday.

If you really want the most fun out of your career, policing is really where it's at as long as you aren't stuck behind a desk. Of course, there will always be dog-fuckers in every working environment; but so far, all of my buddies who got into the RCMP are having a blast and you will, 99% of the time, be posted back in the lower mainland once you graduate from Depot.

[mgarba]

20-40? LOL. Ya right, more like 60 inmates. Places like North Frasier Pretrial are at 300% capacity right now. You will be by yourself on a unit with 60 other inmates, not 20, not 40. Every unit is like that regularly except SEG.

It's a shit job man, if you're looking for a career, look elsewhere. Why do you think they are always hiring for CO's? It's a high turnover job that very few people want to do.

[impactX]

bahaha... and it's going to get worse because of the Olympics... "Cleaning up the streets" and remanding almost everyone.

[willystyle]

Hmm, I guess I'll apply to be a Sheriff then, then BSO, then Corrections as my list of choices.

Anyone have any comments regarding Sheriffs and BSO?

[mrzambaleno]

Hmm, I guess I'll apply to be a Sheriff then, then BSO, then Corrections as my list of choices.

Anyone have any comments regarding Sheriffs and BSO?

DS's earn less than CO's.

[willystyle]

^ I don't know what you're talking about, but according to the BC Public Service website, Deputy Sheriffs start off at 23/hr, and Corrections start at $19, both cap off at $26/hour.

[impactX]

The reason is why? Like everything, you won't last long if you don't think of it as a career.

[willystyle]

I plan to join VPD or RCMP down the road, that's why.

[JDMStyo]

damn that's a rough career...
impactx good info were you a cop/corrections officer before?

[impactX]

I plan to join VPD or RCMP down the road, that's why.

Quite frankly, the process to become a Deputy Sheriff will take some time... probably a year or so as they have cancelled a few classes already.

Becoming a DS won't necessarily help you with a policing career. Eg: If you have a relatively clean background, you become a DS (or any other kind of law enforcement), you get an in-custody death, or any kind of use-of-force complaint, you will be dealing with it (even if you were doing everything by the book) and be grilled about it during the interview with the VPD or RCMP. Just things to think about.

There's no better time than now to join the RCMP. With the accelerated process (if you qualify) and if they hire you providing that you are the right candidate, you will be in Depot in as little as 80 days and you will probably graduate from Depot before even become a Deputy Sheriff.

I know of a person who did not have prior law-enforcement (or anything related to policing) experience but was hired by the RCMP; he was the right candidate with a good background and right attitude.

The background check of VPD and RCMP are pretty thorough; and it's relatively easier to get into the RCMP compared to the VPD because of the amount of people that RCMP hires each year. Don't give VPD an excuse to defer you for 2 years, and then go for RCMP. If you have to do it, apply to the RCMP first and hope for the best that you don't get a crazy female RCMP interviewer.

[willystyle]

Yeah, I've heard they cut back on a few DS classes. My intention was to get into corrections or DS, then gain experience from there (as a stepping stone) then jump into VPD or RCMP in a year or 2 later. I was under the impression that since I would have law enforcement experience then. It would give me the slight edge in going into policing. But like what you were saying, it might not be that beneficial afterall.

To be honest, VPD is my first priority, but I know they aren't hiring as many as the RCMP. There are a few RCMP polices that I'm not a big fan of, so that will always remain to be my secondary option.

Thanks for the informative posts though.

[impactX]

Mark my words, certain municipal police department's recruiting department mentioned above will screw you around, they already did with all my buddies (and we all used to work for the them), all of them excluding me are now in the RCMP.

Unless you are an exempt candidate (meaning that you have a police badge right now and are looking to transfer to that certain municipal police department) and unless you know some senior sergeants, inspectors or higherups who can vouch for you, it will be tough trying to get in.

I know their recruiting tactics:
"oh don't go to the RCMP, come join us"
"oh, now that we got you into our pool of millions of candidates, you still need lots of life experience, so you are deferred, but don't go and join the RCMP"
"oh, seems like you got more life experience now, but you still need this, this, this and this, deferring again for another year or do you want to join the jail? (sweet, now we just need a few more suckers to join the jail so I can answer to the inspector in charge of the court and detentional sevices section that we have gotten almost enough people to fill the void created by the jail special constables leaving to join the RCMP or other departments because we focked them around too much in the recruiting process)"
"Oh RCMP is hiring you? Let us lift the deferal, we will even ignore the assessment center results! You want to come to us now (and burn the bridges with the RCMP)?"

All true stories that I've seen while I was there; and I've already spoken too much. The department itself is good, but the tactics used by the recruiting section is despicable.

Of course, your choice is yours to make, but I've seen the department making a lot of people feel miserable when these people definitely deserved better for their loyalty. Once you get in, it's a different story; but until you do, you will be dicked around by recruiting.

[quasi]

Mark my words, certain municipal police department's recruiting department mentioned above will screw you around, they already did with all my buddies (and we all used to work for the them), all of them excluding me are now in the RCMP.

Unless you are an exempt candidate (meaning that you have a police badge right now and are looking to transfer to that certain municipal police department) and unless you know some senior sergeants, inspectors or higherups who can vouch for you, it will be tough trying to get in.

I know their recruiting tactics:
"oh don't go to the RCMP, come join us"
"oh, now that we got you into our pool of millions of candidates, you still need lots of life experience, so you are deferred, but don't go and join the RCMP"
"oh, seems like you got more life experience now, but you still need this, this, this and this, deferring again for another year or do you want to join the jail? (sweet, now we just need a few more suckers to join the jail so I can answer to the inspector in charge of the court and detentional sevices section that we have gotten almost enough people to fill the void created by the jail special constables leaving to join the RCMP or other departments because we focked them around too much in the recruiting process)"
"Oh RCMP is hiring you? Let us lift the deferal, we will even ignore the assessment center results! You want to come to us now (and burn the bridges with the RCMP)?"

All true stories that I've seen while I was there; and I've already spoken too much. The department itself is good, but the tactics used by the recruiting section is despicable.

Of course, your choice is yours to make, but I've seen the department making a lot of people feel miserable when these people definitely deserved better for their loyalty. Once you get in, it's a different story; but until you do, you will be dicked around by recruiting.

So true, once upon a time I was trying to go the route to, it was something I wanted to do since I was a little kid. I got so frustrated with the whole process I said screw it I'll stay where I am and get paid more money working Mon-Fri. It's been about 9 years since I last applied, there are times when I think about trying agian but now I'm so out of shape I don't even know if I could pass the popat or the 2.4k run anymore. :) I sure as hell have a lot more life experience now at 33 which would probably be a plus.

[willystyle]

.. nevermind

[mgarba]

The recruiting process is definitely a joke. Willystyle, I was in your same shoes when I went down the Corrections road to get experience for the RCMP.

Corrections screwed me over more than anything else you can believe. You have to keep in mind in Corrections and in Policing, one day your Supervisors are your best friend, the next they can become your enemy in an instant, by no fault of your own, it's quite shocking actually.

My story in how I left Corrections would probably make you laugh at how ridiculous it ended out.

I give props to anyone who sticks in out, or ends up in RCMP/VPD, but I find the process for either in themselves a very poor process, which encourages applicants to purposely be untruthful due to the rigid process, and unrealistic criteria.

I always wanted to be an officer personally, at least when I was younger, that thought now has definitely decreased greatly from speaking with officers, and hearing their thoughts of the job however.

[willystyle]

It sounds like I should just apply directly into the RCMP and forget about going into corrections or DS as that might screw me over?

[Gh0stRider]

im looking at federal corrections, since RCMP decided not to take me.

[willystyle]

Mind telling me why you were deferred? :)

[NSX]

Yeah, I've heard they cut back on a few DS classes. My intention was to get into corrections or DS, then gain experience from there (as a stepping stone) then jump into VPD or RCMP in a year or 2 later. I was under the impression that since I would have law enforcement experience then. It would give me the slight edge in going into policing. But like what you were saying, it might not be that beneficial afterall.

To be honest, VPD is my first priority, but I know they aren't hiring as many as the RCMP. There are a few RCMP polices that I'm not a big fan of, so that will always remain to be my secondary option.

Thanks for the informative posts though.


The think the reason why Sheriffs cancled al lthe classes were because they couldnt find suitable officers. They only recently started recruting and their recruting process is now very much like policing. It use to be that you pay 2grand and take a course yourself, with no gurantee that you will get in later with the department. Now, they are going through a recruting process ie...package, history, SOPAT, Panel interview, BGI, no polygraph as far as i i know.

They stressed that they were looking for the BEST OF THE BEST...which is waht screws them over. Who in thier right mind is going to be a sheriff if you can become a officer? I mean, what do you say to them in a interview...why sheriff and not Police? Your best chance of getting into Sheriff is being squeaky clean with no prvious attepmts to apply for policing. They KNOW for a fact that they are losing massive numbers to the RCMP and VPD. One of the reasons why they are recruting so heavily. People in their department are jumping ship like crazy.

When i was in the process, they sounded like they were some new police force out there recruting only the best of the best, and everyone had to be near PERFECT. The staff sergeants were just so hardcore...acting like they were the new breed in town. But i mean come on...every part of their process and job benefits are inferior to policing.

And because they know you are going to jump ship, their recuritng policy is this: NO FEEDBACK IS GIVEN UNDER ANY CIRCUMTANCES. They will defer/terminate you for no reason given. And not one thing you can do about it. 3 of my friends applied in december...1 terminated , no reason given (application for GVTAPS, RCMP) 1 went to parking officer for vancouver...which pays the same as sheriffs (24$ hour) and one is now a VPD officer....1 month later....go figure...

[willystyle]

What's a parking officer? haha

[NSX]

What's a parking officer? haha


Parking Enforcement Officer.

Give out tickets to cars on the street who violate parking rules..............

[mgarba]

Sure Willy, I don't mind telling.

I was differed for a few reasons. One for having friends who smoked Marijauna, two for attending locations where drugs were used (parties/clubs).

Pretty weak I know, sometimes being too honest doesn't pay off, because I'm fairly certain most of the officers I know would not make it into the force based on that criteria.

[impactX]

Sure Willy, I don't mind telling.

I was differed for a few reasons. One for having friends who smoked Marijauna, two for attending locations where drugs were used (parties/clubs).

Pretty weak I know, sometimes being too honest doesn't pay off, because I'm fairly certain most of the officers I know would not make it into the force based on that criteria.

If you are entering this profession, distant yourself from illegal activities. It's not that "weak."

[mgarba]

Give me a break. Sure Marajuana is a illegal activity, but to expect a person to not socialize with people who smoke it, is absolutely ridiculous. For godsakes my mother smokes the stuff for her blood pressure.

There are some criteria that unfortunately I know quite well some officers simply lied about to get it, which I think is wrong.

[chunkymunkey]

Mgarba... can i ask how did they know you associated with that type of people?

[impactX]

Give me a break. Sure Marajuana is a illegal activity, but to expect a person to not socialize with people who smoke it, is absolutely ridiculous. For godsakes my mother smokes the stuff for her blood pressure.

There are some criteria that unfortunately I know quite well some officers simply lied about to get it, which I think is wrong.

It's not about not socializing with them; not hanging out with them WHEN they're doing it isn't a tough thing to do.

[chunkymunkey]

Does anyone know if the four day on/off is your own selection? Or do they give you like - for example, monday 9am, tuesday 5am, etc kind of schedule? And does this change every month to which days are on and off?

[mgarba]

Impact, it wasn't even the fact of being around them when they do it. I was honest and even said I'm not around when they do it, but I know that they regularly smoke. I was told you can't even associate with people who do it, period.

That isn't realistic.

[NSX]

Impact, it wasn't even the fact of being around them when they do it. I was honest and even said I'm not around when they do it, but I know that they regularly smoke. I was told you can't even associate with people who do it, period.

That isn't realistic.


Why is it unrealistic? It comes down to choice. You have a choice wether or not you associate with them or not.
It comes down to how badly you want the career.
I got the same speech from them 3 years ago and I stopped associating with my friends and "bros" that used drugs since 2003. They understood the career path that I was taking and we went seperate ways. Id have to say I associate with ZERO people of that nature today.

I know people that have given up on a policing career because they absolutely refuse to give up their family and "bros." It means too much to them and it is what they value.

So the question again is : How badly do you want your career?

[mgarba]

Dhalsim, are you an officer now?

To be honest with you, before I badly wanted it, so I went down that whole path. Now I'm a little doubtful that going down that route is for me. My family is more important than a certain career, I'm going to take some more time to decide, I got years ahead of me, I'm still fairly young.

[ninja_bart]

After you've been to the VPD jail, you will find that your garbage at home smells wonderful and you will be able to tell the difference between the smell of rotten feet and the smell of ass.

soo true. shit on the walls, piss on the floors and everyone smells. just cant even begin to describe the smell its awful makes u wanan puke

[stylez-p]

why not be a sherrif? they are currently hiring for BC. starts $19 an hour for training and after if you get hired you get bumped to $24.

[impactX]

Because it's not all about money.

[willystyle]

why not be a sherrif? they are currently hiring for BC. starts $19 an hour for training and after if you get hired you get bumped to $24.
They are not hiring anymore.

[03c0upe]

After being a corrections officer for a year or two. what other job can you ladder too with correction officer experience?

[willystyle]

There are specialized and supervisory positions within Corrections that you can get into. I would say these are ladder positions.

Many Correctional Officers end up going into policing, though being in corrections doesn't necessarily help nor hurt your chances of going into policing (except VPD Jail Guard).

Sheriffs, BSO, CSIS, Private Investigations, etc. But I wouldn't say Corrections ladder into these position, they have their own set of requirements to each their own.

[gianttama]

are they still hiring correctional officer now?

[po.chac.co]

* Minimum 19 years old -check
* Canadian citizen or landed immigrant -check
* Valid BC class 5 driver's licence ...class 7
* Language Proficiency Index (LPI) test, level 4 minimum most likely
* Grade 12 or equivalent -check
* Valid First Aid (OFA 1) certification -check

is it absolutely mandatory to have class 5? cos i got my class 7 earlier this year on april and dont wanna wait if its not actually a must...

[d1]

I would say yes, or else they wouldn't list it as a requirement.

[willystyle]

* Minimum 19 years old -check
* Canadian citizen or landed immigrant -check
* Valid BC class 5 driver's licence ...class 7
* Language Proficiency Index (LPI) test, level 4 minimum most likely
* Grade 12 or equivalent -check
* Valid First Aid (OFA 1) certification -check

is it absolutely mandatory to have class 5? cos i got my class 7 earlier this year on april and dont wanna wait if its not actually a must...
Yes, they are not going to let you slap a "N" sign on the back of a paddywagon, if you need to transport a prisoner.

As a matter of fact, they recommend that you have a Class 4, and an extremely clean driving record.

[Gh0stRider]

anyone in the current competition?

[trip]

my cousins husband is a CO.. he was on leave for about half a year or so.

he witnessed an inmate smashed someones head in and killed another CO

[Gh0stRider]

my cousins husband is a CO.. he was on leave for about half a year or so.

he witnessed an inmate smashed someones head in and killed another CO

inmate killed a CO? wtf...where was this?

[lol]

It's like babysitting adults. It's incredibly boring for the most part. Its a negative work environment which over time can take a toll on you emotionally. You are also looked as a wannabe cop who never made it to your new friends on your unit (the inmates).

You start your shift. Sit in the bubble. Every 20 minutes or so you get off your chair from browsing revscene and walk around the unit. 5 mins later you come back and sit in your chair. Then you keep doing this till your lunch. In the meantime their might be some ppl who ask you a question that you may have to answer. You cook your lunch in the microwave which is in the bubble. You have absolutely no responsibilities except to babysit. And to use your radio if there is any type of situation. Even if you miss a situation, the cameras are watching you and the unit every second of the day to make sure you are doing your job and that the inmates are in line.

I did 9 months at fraser. My uncle was also a corrections officer for 10 years and now does real estate. So speaking from both sides.

[willystyle]

inmate killed a CO? wtf...where was this?
It happens more often than you think. Most likely a federal or pre-trial prison where 1 CO is overlooking 70 inmates? or has that ratio gone up in recent years? LOL

[Gh0stRider]

never really hear about it.

[willystyle]

There are many controversial cases and incidents within Law Enforcement that would be swept under the rug, before it makes its way to the media.

[trip]

the only reason he didnt become a cop is my cousin wouldn't let him lol (too dangerous)
he ended up going on a leave but is back on the job now

[lol]

It happens more often than you think. Most likely a federal or pre-trial prison where 1 CO is overlooking 70 inmates? or has that ratio gone up in recent years? LOL

When i was in there was a guy that died on my unit. Not from a CO, but he had a heart problem and the guards didnt really do anything when he started going into shock. He was on the ground and then they decided to call for help but by then it was too late.

[mikemhg]

When I was working a guy commited suicide by jumping off the 3rd tier head first. A few CO's had to take a long LTD from being traumatized of seeing a guy split his head open like that.

[willystyle]

never really hear about it.

Attack on guard prompts concerns of overcrowding in B.C. jails


By John Colebourn, The ProvinceNovember 11, 2010 3:04 PM


Concerns are being raised about overcrowding in B.C. jails after a correctional officer was attacked by an inmate at North Fraser Pretrial Centre on Nov. 10.
Photograph by: Ric Ernst, PNG

The beating of a correctional officer by an inmate at the North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Port Coquitlam has renewed concerns about worker safety at overcrowded jails around the province.

Dean Purdy, the B.C.G.E.U’s chair of corrections and sheriff’s services, said the attack happened Wednesday evening in a unit at the pretrial centre housing about 60 inmates.

The correctional officer, who has more than eight years experience, was taken to hospital and is recovering.

Purdy said the officer suffered cuts and bruises to the head and upper body and has a concussion from the attack.

“He was sucker-punched by an inmate,” said Purdy. “He was then punched further and stomped on and kicked several times in the chest and head area by the inmate.”

According to statistics kept by the B.C.G.E.U, this is the 29th assault on a correctional officer at the North Fraser facility in the past two years .

Purdy said the officer should not have been alone with 60 inmates.

“We are calling on the government to step in and look at the staffing levels,” said Purdy. “One officer working alone with 60 inmates is unacceptable

“We don’t want to see a death before a change is made.”

According to Purdy, the unit where the trouble happened is under lockdown.

“Conditions inside the jail right now are very tense,” he said.

The North Fraser Pretrial Centre is running at more than double the capacity, said Purdy.

“That jail was built for 300 inmates, and the count now is in excess of 650 inmates,” he said.

After the assault, Purdy said staff at the pretrial centre asked to be given pepper spray before they would continue their duties.

“Staff after this incident refused to go back to work until they were given pepper spray,” he said.

A staff member at the North Fraser Pretrial Centre said they were not commenting on the incident.

http://www.theprovince.com/Attack+guard+prompts+concerns+overcrowding+jails/3814519/story.html

[Gh0stRider]

yup. heard about that one.

[tanman]

How can I apply for a correction guard position? And do criminal record matter?
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[willystyle]

^ Yes it matters.

No offense, but if you have or had a criminal record, your chances of obtaining any Law Enforcement position is slim to none.

[tanman]

How about charges but never a conviction
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[Conan O'Brien Sex Video]

^ Yes it matters.

No offense, but if you have or had a criminal record, your chances of obtaining any Law Enforcement position is slim to none.

though it's fair game after getting hired. lol

[Gh0stRider]

how long is the hiring process?

edit: nevermind...its 4-5 months

[tanman]

I had a couple of incident report and a charge 5 years ago but I was never convicted what's the chance of me being a correctional officer
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[po.chac.co]

whats the current outlook in this field?
hiring / not hiring?
process?

[dubzz24]

There was a one day posting back in December, if you didn't apply you'll have to wait for the next posting (who knows when).
Posted via RS Mobile (http://www.revscene.net/forums/announcement.php?a=228)

[ruthless]

My friend is a correctional officer and he said that they have had many applications and hired about 11 new people, but there were over 900 applications...

[dubzz24]

^^ previous posting. No one has been hired yet from the current posting.

[tarunpatel03]

Well I work as a Correctional Officer at North Fraser Pretrial and I love it been there for 51/2 years now! Its not a bad job but you are in a negative environment at all times and the assualts have become worse but I guess you have to like that cause its not like a regular job. U have to be very patient and right now the ratio at my prison is 1 CO to 60 inmates!