Bob Walsh
Stockton, CA
Male, 60
I worked for the California state system, starting as a Correctional Officer and retiring as a Lieutenant in 2005. I now write for the PacoVilla blog which is concerned with what could broadly be called The Correctional System.
You certainly meet the educational requirements. In CAlifornia at least you still have to pass the physical, background and get through the academy. The department generally prefers to hire counselors that have some custody background but it is an open, entry level position and you can hire directly into it (or at least that was the case when I was working, nearly ten years ago).
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Yes. There is no civil service regulation or law that prevents the hiring of the family of ex-felons to be correctional offiers. If you are, or even were, heavily gang involved that will possibly cause her to be looked at somewhat suspiciously for fear she may be a "mole" but it would not in and of itself prevent her from being hired.
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Take every promotional exam you are eligible for, even if you do not think you will do that great. The experience is helpful.
Learn your job. Do your job. Show up to work on time. Help other cops do their job. Learn how to write a superior quality report. All of these things will stand you in good stead with other cops, which will help you get promoted. Try to get along with the suits, even the ones who are clearly idiots. You don't have to like them, you do have to get along with them. Try to get along with the union, even if you don't like unions. They are important, and they do good work.
Try to figure out who the dump-trucks are. Avoid them as much as possible. That way when something stupid happens you don't get splashed with it by accident. Don't do stupid stuff. Especially don't do REALLY stupid stuff. Ask questions. As a newbie you will learn more with your mouth closed than otherwise. Try to find a couple of good, senior officers who believe in development of new staff and learn from them. (Many senior officers hate newbies. It isn't as bad as it used to be, but it is still there.) Keep your personal life straight. If bill collectors start hounding you at work, a lot of people will get pissed at you. I would also advise you to not fish off the company pier, but with the weird hours and days off it is sometimes hard to socialize outside the job. WATCH THE BOOZE. Stay AWAY from drugs, even the semi-legal weed.
(If you are an attractive female the flat-back school of promotion still works in many prisons. It is tacky and sleazy, but it does work.)
Your first year is a learning experience. View it that way.
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That is truly unfortunate. I don't know if maybe he just misses the job or is projecting some of his habits and insecurities onto you guys. I admit I find is surprising after soemone has retired. I wish I could offer some helpful advice, but I can't. Sorry. I don't have the training or backgrtound to serve as a family counselor. That is the direction I would recommend. Good luck.
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Bartender
How often would you date customers?
TV Meteorologist
Is having a weatherman really better than just throwing to a 5-day forecast screen?
Special Education Teacher
Should special-needs students be separated from other students?
Yes. It does not even have to be repoted to the employer (or at least did not when I was working) AS LONG AS THE EX-FELON IS NO LONGER UNDER DEPARTMENT SUPERVISION, I.E. PAROLE OR PROBATION (OR SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION MAYBE TOO, I AM UNSURE OF THAT ONE). There is still a law against ex-offenders coming on prison grounds without the permission of the warden. There are also issues about firearms storage and access if the C/O owns personsal weapons.
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That depends on why you don't think you will be good at it. The skill set to do the job can be developed with no problem as long as you have average intelligence and a decent educational backgrounds. You do have to be able to read (things like job descriptions and operational procedures are important, and you have to be able to read them to follow them). Also some people just do not like the environment, being physically locked into a closed-up building really bothers some people. Also some people really don't want to deal with the shift work. As long as these are not issues for you I would be inclined to give it a go. If it turns out that you don't like it you can walk away, its not like the Army and you are in for three years whether you like it or not.
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The real problem will be if it slows you down much, especially on the radio. If it does it could become a serious issue. Some people their stutter becomes worse when they become nervous, or frightened, or otherwise stressed. As far as I know there is no such thing as a no-radio position. I would be much more concerned about that than about a slight stutter in face-to-face confrontations.
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