My new job?

Question

Finally, today my agency completed the 2-week classroom training on how the jail operates. Next Monday I will be on the floor for two weeks with a senior officer.

Oh yeah . . . they hired me as a County Correction Officer in NJ.

Parts of me right now feels uncertain about this position, and want to resign. I guess it is a normal reaction because I am new to this type of work. On top of that thought, I am the smallest guy (5'8- 160 in my class besides a female. All others are like 200 pounds of fat.

What do you think? Am I overreacting?

Answer 1

Sounds like "cold feet"..........start the job and give it time, you'll know in a few months how you really feel about that position.

Answer 2

You'll be fine - I use to be a Community Corrections Officer, but have worked in a prison and found it challenging. You may get a bit of a hard time at first because you are new (what we know as a smurf), but the inmates will learn to adjust to you as long as you make your boundaries clear.
Also, if an inmate has requested something, ask if another officer is taking care of this request because staff will get annoyed at you if you just go and do it. It is also a waste of prison recourse's if more than one officer is attending to a certain request.

You should be fine - but at the end of the day, if you don't adjust you can always leave and find employment within the Community part of Corrections. Of course, this part of their supervision process is based on a more caring level of their parole. See what you think - just ride it out!

Oh, and good luck - you may even like it!

Let me know how you go there?

Answer 3

Yes, I think you are overreacting. For one, size has no factor at all when it comes to dealing with the inmates. You will be given extensive training (or should be given) on how to deal with many different situations. If you have doubts about the training you receive, make it known to your supervisor. Lack of training poses a safety and security risk to yourself, your co-workers, inmates and the institution as a whole.

It is a fun career... yes, it can be dangerous and challenging at times. But for the most part, if you have the adequate training and support/team effort from your co-workers... you should be fine.

In this type of field it is a DIRE NECESSITY to have open lines of communication with your staff, teamwork, and good supervision. If at anytime you feel an iminent danger... report that to those who are working with you as well as to your shift leader/supervisor, and also document it in the unit memo book and in the inmate's file. We have it on the computer... so it makes it easy to document any incidents that arise.

Being that you are new, the inmates will test you to see what they can get from you, and how far they can go with you. Make sure to set CLEAR boundaries right away! Do not take their "kindeness" or "politeness" at face value. Inmates are manipulative... they are incarcerated for a reason! Try not to be in a place where you are alone with an inmate. There should always be at least two staff if not three working with you, depending on the unit or where it is you are assigned to. If an inmate says he or she needs to speak with you (and this happens a lot where I work), have another staff near by so there is a witness as to what was said in the given conversation.

There is a lot to say about working in an institution. I am sure you will be given many scenarios and guidelines as you go through your training.

One more thing... do not, and I say DO NOT let the inmates see and fright or weakness in you. They will use that to their advantage.

Be safe! Be aware! Be observant! You will be fine!

Good luck to you!

Answer 4

First you can be 7 foot and 280 lbs, but 3 or 4 inmates can take anyone out.

No matter how smart you are, the inmates will out think you, all they have is hours and hours each day to out smart you on somehting.

Next of course you will be scared at first, you should be, and you should be scared everyday you enter into that place.

That is your edge, but you can't show them any fear, to them you have none,

If you do your job right, follow procedures and look out after all of the fellow officers, you should make it though each day.

In the end, it is always you ( the officers ) and them ( inmates) and if you don't cross that line you will do great

Answer 5

Drink too much coffee when you were a kid, did ya pee wee?

If you can't handle comments like that, then do something else, you don't have what it takes. It takes a very specific kind of person to do a job like the one you've signed on for. Some people are just not meant for it. You have to have a very thick skin.... And it appears that you are NOT the right person for the job.

Answer 6

I know a friend from middle school who works in the Montgomery County Detention Center in MD. He likes his job. The inmates are generally well-behaved. He does releases and detentions. I enjoyed working with him and I met some of his colleagues and supervisors. Give it a shot and see where it goes.

Answer 7

okay the whole size thing, when it comes to a job size doesn't matter they may be bigger then you but it doesn't mean that they are better then you. And why not try the job out and if you don't like it then you should resign. Don't quiet before you've even started try it out. and best wishes, i really hope you make the right choice

Answer 8

You're over reacting. However, if you overreact THAT easily you probably DO need to get a new job. Drama will not help you in this line of work.

Answer 9

I know some people deserve it, but I have a hard time looking
at people who are put in cages.
I don't think you're overreacting - your conscience might be
trying to tell you something.
Good Luck.

Answer 10

New job nerves will always get you - try it out - if the job itself is causing too much stress then consider leaving it.