New c/o

[Nykol]

Hi there. The name's Nicole, from wisconsin. I was officialy hired as a corrections officer for the county detention center yesterday. I start work wednesday, and am very nervous, but excited.

i am halfway through my associates degree in criminal justice

I'm only 19, a woman(obviously) and quite small in stature, so im a bit worried about how inmates will treat me.

Im looking for any little bit of advice before i start. i hope to make this site another regular of mine and to get a lot of advice from you guys for my new job.

[Puddle Pirate]

Congrats, enjoy your new job and most importantly, stay safe!

Oh yea, and Welcome to the Board

[constable70]

Congrats on your new job. I' ve been a C.O. for over 18 years. The #1 rule with the inmates is Be Fair, But Firm. The inmates will test you to see what they can get away with. Good Luck.

[Prometheus]

Hi Nicole, congratulations on your new job! Are you planning on making a career in corrections, or is this a stepping stone to LEO, or some other CJ proffession?

Anyway, in answer to your question, because you are female, and because you are "small in statue", the inmates will test you more than a 6'4", 220lb. male officer. However, if you are confident, and do your job proffesionally, you won't have any long term difficulties. Remember to be fair, firm, and consistent. Also, it's easier to start off being harsh and then soften up later, than it is to start soft and then get harder. Pay attention to the other officers you work with, everyone has their own style and you can learn something from everyone. Good luck!

[Finder]

All good advice. Fair, Firm and consistent. The greatest tool you will have is the word "No". It is not always easy to say but it has to be said. As a female, the male inmates will constantly try to get in your head and next to you. Set your boundaries and stick to them. Congratulations and good luck. Stay safe.

[Old Trooper]

I agree with the others...the most important things are to be fair, firm and honest with the inmates...they can see right through BS!Watch your back, treat them with the respect that you want for yourself, and you'll be just fine. Best of luck, and welcome to RP

[ChainSa]

Hey Nykol. I'm also from Wisconsin and will be applying for Correctional Officer in May for June of next year. Welcome to RP... enjoy your stay.

[Nykol]

thanks for the replies. to answer promethus, i do plan on using this to later become a police officer. im taking this semester off of school because training requires me to be available for any shift, any day, at the snap of their fingers. i figure, i could either go to school for another year to get on a 2 year waiting list for KPD to make only 3,000 more a year, or just take this job now, get all sorts of experience, and make LOTS of contacts. i'd be a fool not to take this job. maybe even after a while ill be offered a deputy position

[Nykol]

oh, and another thing, the correctional facility im working at has about 60% male inmates and 40% female

are the women inmates more likely to treat me better or worse than the male inmates?

[andytelford]

best of luck with the job, and welcome to rp, the best site around...now that I've gotten that out of the way, would it be possible to con you out a department patch for my collection ? hope to see you on the boards,
andy

[Nykol]

heh, sure, as soon as i get settled in, if i dont contact you send me a pm in a few weeks

[christrue]

Congratulations! I wish you only the best of luck!