Greetings, new to the board

[Christine74]

Hello, just wanted to drop in and say hello and ask first if it is okay to ask any corrections employment related questions here?, as I know there is a separate area for employment questions and it says LE and correctional officers only. I am in the process of trying to get hired on with the BOP and it looks like I am apt to find more people with experience with this agency in this area.

Thanks.

[Davidc]

Hi Christine,

Ask all the questions you want. I work for the state but there are plenty of guys on here from BOP that can help you. Good luck to you.



David

[gunnywilret]

A prison is a prison. Feel free to ask anything about the job you need or just want to know. I work for the state, but they often leave us to join the BOP population or vice versa. There are a lot of knowledgeable personnel on this site. Stand your ground and hold your own the calvary is only a pin pull away. Semper Fi and the best of luck in your career.

The Gunny

[CO1989]

Welcome to the board and ask away. Even though I'll tell you to look for another job, I'll answer your questions! :-)

[DOCSatTheGunk]

I have heard bad things about the BOP. anyone have any insight into this department?

[Bowles]

I heard those BOP guys smell funny. Do you smell funny?

[Christine74]

So for those working in corrections anywhere what would you say the best and worst parts of the job are? Also, am I correct in assuming that this will be a job where I won't have to sit on my butt 98% of the day. I miss being more "active" on the job, this sitting in front of a computer screen or sitting at a desk all day really gets to me after a while.

[fsquared]

That depends on what "bad things" you've heard about. Every duty station, joint, cell block and agency has its rumor mills.

I've worked for the BOP for 14 years now. I've seen about enough of both (good and bad) to perhaps qualify as one to answer your questions. And like others have said, if I'm not, others who have other experiences can.

One thing for certain to me is this, in the depressed economy of the State where I live in, it's real easy to complain and moan about the BOP (or any other job). But, the harsh reality is this, I get paid well to do what I do considering my level of education.

Most of the problems within the BOP at the facility level are the "temps" that we hire. They have titles like anyone else, (AW, Captain). And I used to join up with some of the stress parade band-wagon riders that visit these forums and others. But, if you really sit down, calm down and put it in perspective, you can (and usually do) cope and survive by dealing with these transient problems like anything else in life. You simply just do it. You improvise, adapt and overcome (Did I get that right Gunny?)

The BOP isn't the agency that I would like it to be, or the agency that it once was when I first hired in. It's not glamorous, not 24/7 glory-times action and remains very politically correct to the point of nausea.

But, I could say the same about my mortgage note. And it is getting paid every month.

As to questions: "Fire when ready, Gridley."

[PRIME EVIL]

So for those working in corrections anywhere what would you say the best and worst parts of the job are? Also, am I correct in assuming that this will be a job where I won't have to sit on my butt 98% of the day. I miss being more "active" on the job, this sitting in front of a computer screen or sitting at a desk all day really gets to me after a while.

First of all, welcome Christine. I have been on the job (County Jail )for 6 years and still don't regret taking it. The best part about the job is you can be as active as you want. You can shake down housing units all night or sit on your butt for most of the night. We all have "those kind of nights" where you don't feel good or are just plain tired. It is nice to have the option to just take it easy. The pay and days off are GREAT.

The worst part about the job is what could happen on any given day. You could get assauted, injured, killed or become liable when an inmate that you were watching kills himself. Normally just doing your job correctly will eliminate all of those possibilities. Don't know much about the BOP job, so I can't help you there.

[hankrearden2000]

So for those working in corrections anywhere what would you say the best and worst parts of the job are? Also, am I correct in assuming that this will be a job where I won't have to sit on my butt 98% of the day. I miss being more "active" on the job, this sitting in front of a computer screen or sitting at a desk all day really gets to me after a while.

You will be allowed to sit on your butt 98% of your day. But, you don't have to. If you are motivated enough to be active, expect criticism from some co-workers and supervisors. But, they will get over it.

[hankrearden2000]

That depends on what "bad things" you've heard about. Every duty station, joint, cell block and agency has its rumor mills.

I've worked for the BOP for 14 years now. I've seen about enough of both (good and bad) to perhaps qualify as one to answer your questions. And like others have said, if I'm not, others who have other experiences can.

One thing for certain to me is this, in the depressed economy of the State where I live in, it's real easy to complain and moan about the BOP (or any other job). But, the harsh reality is this, I get paid well to do what I do considering my level of education.

Most of the problems within the BOP at the facility level are the "temps" that we hire. They have titles like anyone else, (AW, Captain). And I used to join up with some of the stress parade band-wagon riders that visit these forums and others. But, if you really sit down, calm down and put it in perspective, you can (and usually do) cope and survive by dealing with these transient problems like anything else in life. You simply just do it. You improvise, adapt and overcome (Did I get that right Gunny?)

The BOP isn't the agency that I would like it to be, or the agency that it once was when I first hired in. It's not glamorous, not 24/7 glory-times action and remains very politically correct to the point of nausea.

But, I could say the same about my mortgage note. And it is getting paid every month.

As to questions: "Fire when ready, Gridley."

That's the BOP in a nutshell. Prisons are run by transients. As transients, they don't even know the basics about the prisons they allegedly run. But, they're the finest. If you don't believe me, ask one of them.