BOP packet

LTABM · 07-04-2008, 12:00 AM

Welcome floppy...when you get in, listen and learn from the old timers. There will be many that will cry about the job, but you make the job what you want it to be. There will be good times and bad times, but above all you'll meet many good friends.

lwinger · 07-04-2008, 01:42 PM

Had my interview in Aug and was on board in OCT. That was back in 93, not sure what the timeframe is now. Like the others said listen and learn and do not act like you know everything because you don't.

'Tude · 07-04-2008, 01:47 PM

I had my interview back in '90 while I was still in the Army. I didn't have anything decent to wear so I wore my Class A uniform like a dork! I guess all the badges and ribbons on it impressed someone because I was hired a week later and started two weeks after I ETS'd.

Darkside · 07-04-2008, 02:31 PM

lwinger nailed it!
Do NOT show up and say that this is how we did it here or there.
That is about the most annoying thing you can do.
The people who show up and do that will get absolutely no help and always end up doing something stupid and falling on their face.

Nevin67 · 07-04-2008, 06:39 PM

It's not all bad. There are some really good people at the BOP. There are some really crappy people too but you have that everywhere. Just keep your eyes open and you will be able to figure out who is out to backstab everyone and who you can count on.

The good people on the job are salt of the earth do anything for you type people. Stick with them and they will help you until you can do it on your own. Don't be afraid to ask questions and always remember it is "us" against "them". Inmates will try and talk trash on other staff in front of you to see if you go along with it or talk trash your self. If you do it is a sign of weakness. Remember who is coming to save your a$$ if something hapens and show some loyalty. Be good relief and do your job and you will do just fine in the BOP.

Good Luck.

Area51 · 07-04-2008, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darkside

Just treat the first year like basic training in the military and keep your head down, your mouth shut, and your eyes open.
Very soon you'll realize that it's rarely the inmates we must fear, but other staff with their own agendas.

Great advice...

I worked a state prison before I worked with the bureau, if you could survive the inmates $hit for about two or three incoming classes from the academy behind you, you were good to go...

I have saw more officers and staff lose their jobs or quit due to staff than I have ever saw due to inmates with the bureau.

I am not saying the inmates are better or more friendly, but it seems at times BOTH may be out to get you...

Staff will succeeded in a majority of the instances.

Head up, eyes OPEN, ears OPEN, ask to lean and watch your A$$ at all times!

DO EVERYTHING by the book your first year. If an older officer leaves doors unlocked during the count to go quicker, they will chew his A$$ for it and FIRE YOURS since you are on probation.

Even if it ticks him off LOCK THE DOORS! Tell him I am on probation, I can't take the chance. Most will understand. The ones that don't are the ones you need to avoid from the start.

This is my standard line of advice to anyone just starting out...

Blow your own horn as well, most lieutenant's don't work around you that do your evaluations. WRITE incident reports, write memos on your observations and things you find. Keep a note book or on computer a paper of things you do, work or are involved with. Such as...

Control #2
Found drugs/hooch
responded to body alarms
Worked #1 in more challenging posts such as compound, etc.

When you are called in to sign your eval. you can tell the supervisor "Hang on" and print this stuff off. This way he can see for himself what you have done and give your evaluation a fair score and his comments will fit YOU and not the other rookies that he is rating.

You will find your eval will look just like everyone else's, give him something to work with.

bop_steward · 07-05-2008, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunns

d@mn why such negativity it's not bad, and it beat's having a real job...

It is not negativity, it is reality. This entire site is a perfect example of that. Go to the threads, complaining all over this place, and for good reason. I agree, it is better than having a labor intensive job!

floppytaco#159 · 07-05-2008, 02:37 PM

Thanks fpr all the good advice. And if anyone here works at USP McCreary you can believe that I WILL NOT come into the BOP with an ( I know it all ) attitude. When I worked for CCA I saw new guys come and go. Most of the ones who didn't make it were the ones who thought they knew everything. I was a senior officer at my prison and had been on the yard longer than anyone. And I only worked there for 2 years. That's how high out turnover rate was. I take my career in corrections seriously, and their is no doubt that I will make some good friends. I look forward to helping in anyway I can. I completely agree that the new guys could get on your nerves with their so called knowledge of the BOP. I am going to come into this job with the the mind set that I am LEARNING not KNOWING the job. I just hope whoever I am working with likes to talk, because I will ask questions like no other. To those of you who already work at McCreary USP, I look forward to being a part of the team, and as time goes on you will come to realize that I am a good person to have by your side. Thanks.

LTABM · 07-05-2008, 05:48 PM

Flopy, you are ahead of the game with some good experience. Good luck to you, if you ever have questions send me a PM.

floppytaco#159 · 07-07-2008, 12:00 AM

I actually do have a few more questions but I will post one at a time. I have heard a few rumors that you have to submit to a polygraph test. Is their any truth to this? I am not worried about the outcome, the only reason I ask is because I have never had one and wanted to know what the procedure is like.