Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

I'm curious on why you want/wanted to work in a jail/prison?

I would go crazy being inside the jail/prison. I am the kind of person that needs to be outside seeing new stuff every day.

Well i work in a city jail. To be honest I took the job to get experience in the field as I one day want to be a cop. But being that we have people coming and going every few hours, you get to see a lot of new stuff. Most of the turds are drunks... makes for some funny, annoying guests in the graybar hotel. When i first took the job I thought all the ignorant/stupid/drunk turds would annoy me, but its actually a lot of fun.

Not a Cop or a C/O.

I think I would enjoy being a C/O and have considered it several times. The only thing that has stopped me is the money.

working in a prison is way different than working in a jail. from my 4 years of experience as a C/O, i can tell you that the department of corrections aint for everybody.. its the toughest beat in law enforcement. no guns just guts. i love my job. your always learning somthing new.

its the toughest beat in law enforcement.

Quite a statement to make. Can you elaborate?

working in a prison is way different than working in a jail. from my 4 years of experience as a C/O, i can tell you that the department of corrections aint for everybody.. its the toughest beat in law enforcement. no guns just guts. i love my job. your always learning somthing new.

I agree with this statement to an extent. In our agency we have to work the jail until a spot in Patrol opens up. It's like this in many CA Sheriff's Departments.

Working in a jail gives you a vast knowledge of the people and personalities you're going to encounter in the street. You learn how to talk to people, who they affilliate with, if they're on parole or probation etc.

I don't think you can say that corrections is a TOUGHER BEAT than being on the streets. Each is it's own animal. It also largely depends on where you patrol, and in which jail facility you work.

For instance, I'd be hard pressed to say that working the jail in Clearfield County PA is more difficult than patrolling the 22nd Police District in North Philly. Philly has almost 200 murders this year already, it's a very very dangerous city to work in.

I am quite certain that it is also much more dangerous to work in the Philadelphia city jail than it is to patrol the streets in Lancaster PA.

It is the same for prisons vs. jails. It would be difficult to find a Los Angeles County Deputy that works the jail that does not encounter the same danger a C.O. working at Pelican Bay State Prison.

Working in either setting has it's own unique set of circumstances. The danger largely depends on who you have housed in your correctional facility and the kind of people that live in the town or city you patrol.

My point is, I don't think you can say one is tougher than the other. They're both dangerous and offer unique challenges. It takes guts, knowledge, and training to be able to operate safely and efficiently in either setting. What is really important is that whether we are a correctional officer, Deputy Sheriff, or Police Officer do our job with integrity, do it safely, and ensure that we and our partners go home at the end of the day.

I forgot one last thing. Regardless of how safe or unsafe your city or facility usually is it's important for all of us to remember and be prepared for the fact that on any given day at any given time, the poop can hit the fan. If we're unprepared mentally or physically we could find ourselves taking a dirt nap.

working in a prison is way different than working in a jail. from my 4 years of experience as a C/O, i can tell you that the department of corrections aint for everybody.. its the toughest beat in law enforcement. no guns just guts. i love my job. your always learning somthing new.

Are you suggesting that street cops don't have guts or have less guts than custody/jail/prison personnel? Also, what kind of law enforcement experience/background do you have (where you can authoritatively state that working the department of corrections is tougher than any/every other law enforcement assignment/detail out there)?

working in a prison is way different than working in a jail. from my 4 years of experience as a C/O, i can tell you that the department of corrections aint for everybody.. its the toughest beat in law enforcement. no guns just guts. i love my job. your always learning somthing new.

IMO..............its not the toughest beat in law enforcement. I spent 5 years as a c/o in a max. security state prison for the mentally ill. We had the worst of the worst who could get away with anything and blame it on being mentally ill.
We had back up that was 20 seconds away. We had nurses and doctors on staff 24/7. If we got hurt, had a headache, or anything else they were right there.
AS a a rural cop back up can be 30 minutes away and all a gun does is give you something else to worry about when rolling around fighting on the ground. Our radio system has deadspots and we have to drive at high speeds
at times.
Comparing the two is apple and oranges

IMO..............its not the toughest beat in law enforcement. [SIC] Comparing the two is apple and oranges

Agreed. This thread should not turn into a pissing contest about what is tougher, patrol or corrections.

Each job is a challenge, which require similar but not identical talents, and there are those individuals more suited for one career over the other. Neither job is for everyone, and both can get you killed if you are careless.

I work in a prison. I work there because the money is decent, the bennies are good, the work is steady, and correctional folk are some of the best folk around. That said, my real dream is to be a road deputy.

However, from those I've talked to about working on the road, the hours really suck. I've been told that you never know if your shift is going to end when its supposed to, and days off are not really your own as you can be called into court with as little as two hours notice.

Right now I work exactly 40 hours a week, every Sunday and Monday off, absolutely and completely. So the road may have to wait a little while.

WOW... I did not mean to offend any of my fellow officers in this forum. The phrase "no guns just guts" and "the toughest beat in law enforcement" is what the department of corrections use here in Florida. I do respect the officers who are on patrol. I was a patrol officer in Puerto Rico so i know how dangerous it is out there..Sometimes your sitting in your car waiting for something to happened or make a quick stop to the house or stop at a handy way and talk to your buddy for a couple of hours. Yeah i know how it is. Don't get me wrong it's dangerous out there sometimes deppending on the county you work in...now while 3 sometimes 2 c/o are on a post with 96 inmates who don't give a F@#k because they have 20 to life sentences or on death row. Trust me since i've been a c/o for the state of Florida i've had 4 or more uses of force in a 8 hour shift or poop or urine thrown at me for no reason. This is for 5 days out of the week. I can't make a quick stop to the house or get some fresh air. In a max. security prison we have to shower, shave, feed, pass out mail in an 8 hour shift. then you got those who want to kick and flood there cells all night or cut. Once again i did not mean to offend my fellow officers. Everyone is entitled to there own opinion.

working in a prison is way different than working in a jail. from my 4 years of experience as a C/O, i can tell you that the department of corrections aint for everybody.. its the toughest beat in law enforcement. no guns just guts. i love my job. your always learning somthing new.

First off my wife (a hard nosed cage kicker) agrees with you 100%, go figure.

Second, guys, I don't think he was trying to offend anyone he's just proud of what he does. No harm in that. It's like when firemen say they are tougher than cops. And we all know that's not the case. :D

Go on gfex81, yell it from the mountaintop, we're listening. :rolleyes:

WOW... I did not mean to offend any of my fellow officers in this forum. The phrase "no guns just guts" and "the toughest beat in law enforcement" is what the department of corrections use here in Florida. I do respect the officers who are on patrol. I was a patrol officer in Puerto Rico so i know how dangerous it is out there..Sometimes your sitting in your car waiting for something to happened or make a quick stop to the house or stop at a handy way and talk to your buddy for a couple of hours. Yeah i know how it is. Don't get me wrong it's dangerous out there sometimes deppending on the county you work in...now while 3 sometimes 2 c/o are on a post with 96 inmates who don't give a F@#k because they have 20 to life sentences or on death row. Trust me since i've been a c/o for the state of Florida i've had 4 or more uses of force in a 8 hour shift or poop or urine thrown at me for no reason. This is for 5 days out of the week. I can't make a quick stop to the house or get some fresh air. In a max. security prison we have to shower, shave, feed, pass out mail in an 8 hour shift. then you got those who want to kick and flood there cells all night or cut. Once again i did not mean to offend my fellow officers. Everyone is entitled to there own opinion.

If the FDOC uses those phrases as mottos or sayings, you should have put them in quotes. Since you didn't, it was You saying it...

Yeah, it's a piece of cake out here working the streets - the other week, I logged almost 70 hours in 4 days (yes it sucked!). The Earliest I got off was 3 1/2 hours After shift (and that was even with someone Else writing 3 reports for me, booking narco for me, and someone Else helping me process a couple of arrestees). Guess what? NONE of that week was spent sitting in my car "waiting for something to happen" or stopping by any houses other than responding to calls for service or talking to any of my buddies for a "couple of hours". :rolleyes:

BTW, I have worked custody. You aren't the only one on this board who has 'seen some sh1t' while working lockdown. I had really sucky days/weeks supervising inmates too.

It's like when firemen say they are tougher than cops. And we all know that's not the case. :D


lol

First, I respect the fire guys and appreciate them being out there. "Tougher than cops"? Well, I don't know about that - they've got different responsibilities and duties. I sure wouldn't want to deal with some of the crap they have to deal with.
Around here, however, WTSisHingTF, they won't roll in until after we've (LEOs) made the situation safe. OTOH, you won't catch me standing on the roof of a burning building chopping away at what I'm standing on with an axe! :eek:

First, I respect the fire guys and appreciate them being out there. "Tougher than cops"? Well, I don't know about that - they've got different responsibilities and duties. I sure wouldn't want to deal with some of the crap they have to deal with.

That sounds like you're saying you don't respect C/O's and I know you did not mean it to sound like that. Kind of like what the kid did in his post with out the quotation marks. And just like firemen, C/O's have different responsibilities and duties. My wife is a career cage kicker and I know for a fact I could never do the job. So for me it would be tougher than working the street.


OTOH, you won't catch me standing on the roof of a burning building chopping away at what I'm standing on with an axe! :eek:

I worked as a firefighter with a volunteer department and most of my family and inlaws were in the fire service and I have to agree with you completely on this!

Not nit-picking just explaining my views, however meaningless.

There are things I enjoy and others things I don't. I don't rate my job as needing guts or other qualities I can't really measure. I really don't like post mortems, but it is a requirement. I am proud of what I do, but I don't shout Woo Hoo I am a cop in public places. There are cultural differences between us and maybe NP is right, a bit of pride is a good thing.

That sounds like you're saying you don't respect C/O's and I know you did not mean it to sound like that. Kind of like what the kid did in his post with out the quotation marks. And just like firemen, C/O's have different responsibilities and duties. My wife is a career cage kicker and I know for a fact I could never do the job. So for me it would be tougher than working the street.

I worked as a firefighter with a volunteer department and most of my family and inlaws were in the fire service and I have to agree with you completely on this!

Not nit-picking just explaining my views, however meaningless.

Since I quoted you about FIREMEN in my post (#14) and then went on to talk about FIREMEN, I'm not sure how or Why you arrived at the conclusion that I was somehow suggesting that I don't respect C/O's. :confused:

To add insult to injury, you go on to suggest that I somehow erred and you seem to be saying that my posting or writing ability is no better than the OP's. :rolleyes:

IMO, every public safety type of job has its pros/cons, headaches, benefits, etc. I respect everyone who does a good job of what they do. That being said, I do have a problem when someone starts spouting off how one job is more difficult, more dangerous, or more demanding, etal than another job, Especially if, as it has been pointed out, comparing the jobs is really like comparing apples and oranges and, if the person making the claim has little to no experience in one or the other.

Personally, I always thought it would be very tough to be a cop in Puerto Rico. If a typical shift consists of spending hours just sitting around in a car or visiting home or shooting the breeze with buddies, then I'm not so sure...

Oh, btw, in case you were overly sensitive because of what Mrs NP does for a living, I DO respect C/Os and the job they do - remember, I've BTDT too. My work history includes 5 years at Men's Central Jail, where personnel from a well-known US prison came to visit not all that long ago - they were shocked to see who/what we had walking around in GP/mainline...

http://i9.tinypic.com/61yf683.png

:( Oh my GOSH! So many hurt feelings... :(


:p

I respect anyone that can handle Corrections as a job. Personally, I wouldn't be able to do it. I strive to maintain as good repore as possible with our city jail Corrections Officers because they have to deal with the knuckleheads I bring in for the long term.

Law Forcement and Corrections both have unique challenges and are clearly separate from each other. That said, I do have a problem with Corrections Officers that believe they are Police Officers - just as any Corrections Officer would have a problem with me thinking that I know how to do their job.

Since I quoted you about FIREMEN in my post (#14) and then went on to talk about FIREMEN, I'm not sure how or Why you arrived at the conclusion that I was somehow suggesting that I don't respect C/O's.

To add insult to injury, you go on to suggest that I somehow erred and you seem to be saying that my posting or writing ability is no better than the OP's. :rolleyes:

Oh, btw, in case you were overly sensitive because of what Mrs NP does for a living

First off my quote about firemen was a joke. Sorry you missed that.

Second I'm not overly sensative about anything, let alone what my wife does for a living. She does not need me defending her. I was just explaining that seeing what she has to put up with I know I could never do it. And kudos to you for "BTDT" your obviously more versatile than I am.


That sounds like you're saying you don't respect C/O's and I know you did not mean it to sound like that. Kind of like what the kid did in his post with out the quotation marks.

Third, talking about being overly sensative. You should re-read my post (in bold). And I said nothing about your writing style being wrong or whatever. What I was pointing out was the you blasted a poster for not putting quotations around a phrase they use at work but refuse to see what your posts insinuate (whether intended or not) .

Put it in context with the entire thread or if it helps you to see my point, picture it as a face to face conversation. I'll even add little faces to help.

Mr. A: "Corrections officers are the toughest!" :)
Mr. B: "Are you saying they're tougher than street cops?" :mad:
Mr. C: "That's like fireman saying they're tougher that cops":D
Mr. B: "First off I repect firemen....." :mad:

To me that sounds like Mr. B is saying "First off I respect firemen unlike Corrections Officers".

And as I said before I know that's not what you meant but that is how it sounded. Just like the other person's post sounded like something to you which was not what he meant. And your posts seemed to get hostile with the other poster from the start, I assume that was not your intention also.

As I think we have beat this to death I'll stop here.

First off my quote about firemen was a joke. Sorry you missed that.

I didn't miss it. If I'm not mistaken, the first thing I wrote was "lol". Last time I checked, "lol" meant 'laughing out loud'.

Second I'm not overly sensative about anything, let alone what my wife does for a living. She does not need me defending her. I was just explaining that seeing what she has to put up with I know I could never do it. And kudos to you for "BTDT" your obviously more versatile than I am.

When did I say I was "obviously more versatile" than you??? My "BTDT" is to provide reference that I do have some experience performing a C/O's duties and can relate/sympathize/understand. In no way was I suggesting that I am holier than those who have not worked in a custodial environment. I simply TRY not to spout anything off without having some knowledge or experience to back my words.

Third, talking about being overly sensative. You should re-read my post (in bold). And I said nothing about your writing style being wrong or whatever. What I was pointing out was the you blasted a poster for not putting quotations around a phrase they use at work but refuse to see what your posts insinuate (whether intended or not) .

Well, we'll have to agree to disagree then. From my perspective, I was perfectly clear and it was You who first started to run the ball in the wrong direction. IMO, the only reason my posts "insinuated" anything (to you) was because something struck a nerve with you, you got defensive, and intentionally took it a certain way.

Put it in context with the entire thread or if it helps you to see my point, picture it as a face to face conversation. I'll even add little faces to help.

Mr. A: "Corrections officers are the toughest!" :)
Mr. B: "Are you saying they're tougher than street cops?" :mad:
Mr. C: "That's like fireman saying they're tougher that cops":D
Mr. B: "First off I repect firemen....." :mad:

To me that sounds like Mr. B is saying "First off I respect firemen unlike Corrections Officers".

::shrug:: You're mistaken. The "first off" was because I was going to talk more about firemen later on in my post... If you don't want to accept that or believe it, then oh well.

And as I said before I know that's not what you meant but that is how it sounded. Just like the other person's post sounded like something to you which was not what he meant. And your posts seemed to get hostile with the other poster from the start, I assume that was not your intention also.

IIRC, my first post consisted of two simple questions designed to clarify the intent of the comments in the original post. Any hostility in my posts was solely formed by Your personal biases/opinions.

As I think we have beat this to death I'll stop here.

My replies embedded.

IMO(!!!!) You took everything I said to a completely different level/degree/direction because (somewhere deep down inside) you felt that I was somehow disrespecting your wife and her chosen profession.

That isn't and wasn't the case. I mentioned my other work experience in an effort to try to head off any misperceptions about what I wrote - I've "BTDT" so I Know first hand of what a CO deals with every day. I have plenty of friends and partners still working in Custody and some who will remain working in Custody. I do not and have never bought into the whole Patrol vs Custody, greater than/lesser than mentality that some (some might say many) sworn personnel have. If we arrest, someone has to watch over them Inside as well. Additionally, there is a vital two way flow of information between Patrol and Custody - incidents that occur in one area have direct impact on situations in the other.

So my "beef" as it were was with one person (the OP) apparently voicing his opinion (because he didn't quote his sayings/mottos) that one area was more this or that than another area. Not to drag anyone else into this BS bickering but I don't believe I was the only one questioning or requesting clarification from the OP.

If someone had said that Patrol is the toughest or gutsiest or whatever assignment in LE work, I would have probably acked up and asked the same questions... (i.e. what is your experience/knowledge/training that allows you to authoritatively and accurately make such a statement, etal)...

Finally, I don't remember ever engaging in a "sword fight" with you or even disagreeing with anything you've posted. I certainly did not post in this thread in order to pick a fight with you. If you or the Mrs took offense at something I wrote, I apologize - that was not my intent. I hope I have now made it clear enough where I stand...

I too have had the experience of working in a state prison and working the streets.

They are two different creatures. You have to stay on your toes in the prison, but at least you know everyone you are dealing with is a friggen felon and that is a giant plus in your favor from the get-go.

On the streets, however, you rarely know who you will be dealing with ahead of time. You stop a car for a taillight out and the next thing you see is a muzzle flash in your direction because you had no idea at all the driver just committed a murder.

Inmates can get their hands on shanks, but teenagers on the street have access to knives and firearms.

It is true when you cross into the yard at the beginning of shift and you hear the gates close behind you, you are also locked up for the remainder of shift.

But, working the streets is not the laid back cake-walk alluded to by the poster. How many of you officers in here have been so damn busy you don't get a lunch break? Yep, you know what time it is.

As far as which career is more dangerous...I'll let readers research how many law enforcement officers are killed or assaulted every year as opposed to how many correctional officers are killed or assaulted. I know what the answer is, but they can come to their own conclusion.

Why do I work in the jail? Because everyone in my department has to start out there.

I've worked in Correctional Institutions, County Jails and the road. I retired from a sheriff's department and went back into State corrections. Each has it's own pros and cons. I can't really sat that one is "tougher" than the other. I prefer working State facilities, as the benefits are great and I get paid quite well. There's more "action," and back-up is readily available.I like the road, (which I still work part time), because you never know what the next call may be, but in a rural area it can be quite boring and back-up is at least 20 minutes away. The County jail is basically a madhouse. One has to deal with drunks, addicts, and just about every inmate you deal with will someday be back on the streets in your city. To compare State corrections to County jails to patrol jobs is, as mentioned, comparing apples to oranges. The one comment that I will stand by, is that the best cops I know started in corrections, State or County. Because of the nature of working institutions, they seem to have a better ability to talk to people. (That should open another whole can of beans!)

I work in a jail because I was not accepted for the road but was offered a job in the jail instead...they said I could just transfer to the road in a year :rolleyes:...we'll see how easy that'll be!

BTW: Is there any way that I could get verified being a Corrections Officer/Detention Deputy?

BTW: Is there any way that I could get verified being a Corrections Officer/Detention Deputy?

It's been asked and answered. Once you become a LEO, you can be verified.

Maybe they could start a forum thread called, "Ask a Corrections Officer."

I did a stint in uniform at the State Prison back in the late 70's before I got hired on as a certified police officer. I saw a few clowns that thought they were peers of the police, but the vast majority of us knew exactly what our job was and the differences the job entailed.

I actually liked working at the prison, but l love the street. You should try it. ;)

I actually liked working at the prison, but l love the street. You should try it. ;)

Believe me I will...:D

Oh... and in refrence to this...

It's been asked and answered. Once you become a LEO, you can be verified.

Well if you want to get technical I found this in the Florida State Statutes :p:

790.001 Definitions.--As used in this chapter, except where the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Antique firearm" means any firearm manufactured in or before 1918 (including any matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar early type of ignition system) or replica thereof, whether actually manufactured before or after the year 1918, and also any firearm using fixed ammunition manufactured in or before 1918, for which ammunition is no longer manufactured in the United States and is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.

(2) "Concealed firearm" means any firearm, as defined in subsection (6), which is carried on or about a person in such a manner as to conceal the firearm from the ordinary sight of another person.

(3)(a) "Concealed weapon" means any dirk, metallic knuckles, slungshot, billie, tear gas gun, chemical weapon or device, or other deadly weapon carried on or about a person in such a manner as to conceal the weapon from the ordinary sight of another person.

(b) "Tear gas gun" or "chemical weapon or device" means any weapon of such nature, except a device known as a "self-defense chemical spray." "Self-defense chemical spray" means a device carried solely for purposes of lawful self-defense that is compact in size, designed to be carried on or about the person, and contains not more than two ounces of chemical.

(4) "Destructive device" means any bomb, grenade, mine, rocket, missile, pipebomb, or similar device containing an explosive, incendiary, or poison gas and includes any frangible container filled with an explosive, incendiary, explosive gas, or expanding gas, which is designed or so constructed as to explode by such filler and is capable of causing bodily harm or property damage; any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into a destructive device and from which a destructive device may be readily assembled; any device declared a destructive device by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms; any type of weapon which will, is designed to, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of any explosive and which has a barrel with a bore of one-half inch or more in diameter; and ammunition for such destructive devices, but not including shotgun shells or any other ammunition designed for use in a firearm other than a destructive device. "Destructive device" does not include:

(a) A device which is not designed, redesigned, used, or intended for use as a weapon;

(b) Any device, although originally designed as a weapon, which is redesigned so that it may be used solely as a signaling, line-throwing, safety, or similar device;

(c) Any shotgun other than a short-barreled shotgun; or

(d) Any nonautomatic rifle (other than a short-barreled rifle) generally recognized or particularly suitable for use for the hunting of big game.

(5) "Explosive" means any chemical compound or mixture that has the property of yielding readily to combustion or oxidation upon application of heat, flame, or shock, including but not limited to dynamite, nitroglycerin, trinitrotoluene, or ammonium nitrate when combined with other ingredients to form an explosive mixture, blasting caps, and detonators; but not including:

(a) Shotgun shells, cartridges, or ammunition for firearms;

(b) Fireworks as defined in s. 791.01;

(c) Smokeless propellant powder or small arms ammunition primers, if possessed, purchased, sold, transported, or used in compliance with s. 552.241;

(d) Black powder in quantities not to exceed that authorized by chapter 552, or by any rules adopted thereunder by the Department of Financial Services, when used for, or intended to be used for, the manufacture of target and sporting ammunition or for use in muzzle-loading flint or percussion weapons.

The exclusions contained in paragraphs (a)-(d) do not apply to the term "explosive" as used in the definition of "firearm" in subsection (6).

(6) "Firearm" means any weapon (including a starter gun) which will, is designed to, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; any destructive device; or any machine gun. The term "firearm" does not include an antique firearm unless the antique firearm is used in the commission of a crime.

(7) "Indictment" means an indictment or an information in any court under which a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year may be prosecuted.

(8) "Law enforcement officer" means:

(a) All officers or employees of the United States or the State of Florida, or any agency, commission, department, board, division, municipality, or subdivision thereof, who have authority to make arrests;

(b) Officers or employees of the United States or the State of Florida, or any agency, commission, department, board, division, municipality, or subdivision thereof, duly authorized to carry a concealed weapon;

(c) Members of the Armed Forces of the United States, the organized reserves, state militia, or Florida National Guard, when on duty, when preparing themselves for, or going to or from, military duty, or under orders;

(d) An employee of the state prisons or correctional systems who has been so designated by the Department of Corrections or by a warden of an institution;

(e) All peace officers;

(f) All state attorneys and United States attorneys and their respective assistants and investigators.

(9) "Machine gun" means any firearm, as defined herein, which shoots, or is designed to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manually reloading, by a single function of the trigger.

(10) "Short-barreled shotgun" means a shotgun having one or more barrels less than 18 inches in length and any weapon made from a shotgun (whether by alteration, modification, or otherwise) if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches.

(11) "Short-barreled rifle" means a rifle having one or more barrels less than 16 inches in length and any weapon made from a rifle (whether by alteration, modification, or otherwise) if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches.

(12) "Slungshot" means a small mass of metal, stone, sand, or similar material fixed on a flexible handle, strap, or the like, used as a weapon.

(13) "Weapon" means any dirk, knife, metallic knuckles, slungshot, billie, tear gas gun, chemical weapon or device, or other deadly weapon except a firearm or a common pocketknife, plastic knife, or blunt-bladed table knife.

(14) "Electric weapon or device" means any device which, through the application or use of electrical current, is designed, redesigned, used, or intended to be used for offensive or defensive purposes, the destruction of life, or the infliction of injury.

(15) "Dart-firing stun gun" means any device having one or more darts that are capable of delivering an electrical current.

(16) "Readily accessible for immediate use" means that a firearm or other weapon is carried on the person or within such close proximity and in such a manner that it can be retrieved and used as easily and quickly as if carried on the person.

(17) "Securely encased" means in a glove compartment, whether or not locked; snapped in a holster; in a gun case, whether or not locked; in a zippered gun case; or in a closed box or container which requires a lid or cover to be opened for access.

(18) "Sterile area" means the area of an airport to which access is controlled by the inspection of persons and property in accordance with federally approved airport security programs.

(19) "Ammunition" means an object consisting of all of the following:

(a) A fixed metallic or nonmetallic hull or casing containing a primer.

(b) One or more projectiles, one or more bullets, or shot.

(c) Gunpowder.

All of the specified components must be present for an object to be ammunition.

Sounds like a tough job-I know guys in corrections and others training for it not because they like it but because of the pay. I also think the whole prison system is getting out of hand-Constant hiring of correction officers or city officers. More prison building-That's where the money is. Other professions (education, social,) you go to college for four, five years, and it's still not guaranteed you'll get a good job. Correction officers, they're being spit out left and right and start earning good money. I guess it shows where the priorites are but I understand they've got a tough job.

I Have Worked Booking (alpha Shift) In A South Florida County Jail The Past Seven Years And I'll Tell You That Everyday Is An Adventure...

I work there because there is defenetly job security, I know I will never get laid off. The money is not bad either.

I am trying to get a job as a corrections officer right now because for one, I am only 20 and my dream is to be a police officer. Yet, for one, most departments find me too young in some aspects and are looking for an officer with much experience. All in all, i'd love to get a job in corrections for a couple years because being "new" in the law enforcement world, I think it would be a good idea to get to see what I'll be dealing with out on the street and know how to handle them in the jail first. Maybe it's a silly way of putting it, but I think that will help me out tremendously. Eventually someday I will be able to move on to be a road deputy as well. My friend recently informed me that since I am certifiable to become a cop (been through police academy) then if I did get hired as a C/O I would be able to carry a gun while not in the jail and I would also be able to do transports... I guess if that is true that would be a step up from a regular jail officer.

Just to give my 2 cents, lol, I think it is equal. Here in Vermont, we get the dudes right from the streets into the prisons because we only have state prisons, no county jails and it is nothing to do an intake and roll around with a few fellow officers and some troopers with a disgruntled drunk. We respect them and they respect us. Personally I am happy to know that these guys don't have guns in here and that is what patrol has to worry about all the time rolling up on a guy who may have one. Both patrol and corrections get their fair share of stress.