Tell me it gets better.

PepeLep · 11-22-2008, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 20NOUT

I have been in for about 9 months now.

Hey, 20NOUT, my first CO gig was at Renz in Jeff City. It was in the MSU of Church Farm at that time...before they moved up to Vandalia. Old Renz got flooded out, so they put maximum security women in a minimum security unit. That was a mess. I transferred out to Fordland while I was still on probation.

Everybody told me you couldn't do that. "Watch me."

To the original guy, it sounds like you're doing fine to me. Everybody is nervous when they just start out. Make sure you don't make the big mistakes that get somebody hurt or get you fired, and you'll get more confident. Don't be afraid to ask questions if it's something you need to know. Some people will give you dirty looks. Some people were born a**holes.

Frontline · 11-25-2008, 03:08 AM

It's gotten way better, guys. Thanks for the encouraging words and all.

BOPGREYHAIR · 11-25-2008, 04:45 AM

Hey Frontline, welcome to "The Business"!

Thanks for reminding me of my first days. Big old Pen in the midwest, and only 1 out of 10 staff would talk to me. 2 years later at the same place and we didn't need to, we were all in it together and I'd been accepted as one of the crew. You will too, your brothers and sisters just have to see you show up ready to roll.

You should be nervous, these are serious places. Few others will walk where you walk or see what you will see. NEVER become comfortable, although you should seek to become confident. NEVER think you've seen it all and never assume you know what's going on!!. Convicts are crafty, prepare yourself to amazed on a regular basis!

Thanks for reminding me of where it all started, I'll be a little sharper today because of you!

Good Luck Brother!

oldbullridr · 11-25-2008, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frontline

Hey guys,

I've been online for about two weeks now, and I still feel pretty lost out there. I am cool with the offenders and they are cool with me, but there is so much to know and different tasks to learn. I am enjoying it, but at the same time I go to work feeling nervous every day, and that is a feeling that I do not like. I know the sergeant's are "feeling the new guys out," but it would be nice if they were more talkative with us new guys and helped ease our pressure. Maybe that's asking too much? I don't know, but I feel like this WILL be my career, but right now I definitely have a lot of anxiety.

How long did it take before you felt like you were "getting it" and made a good career choice?

I've been doing this job for 19 years and seem lost everytime we get new administration. Just stick to your guns, learn policy, be observant, and, most of all, any time an inmate asks a question your first and immediate answer is NO. This goes against the teachings of the new KGB BOP, but if you did this on a regular basis the older hacks will be more than happy to teach you all the other trivial sh@@ you need to learn.

Equinox · 11-25-2008, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frontline

I am cool with the offenders and they are cool with me

This is a bad statement that tosses a giant red flag in my face. First you should never be "cool" with an inmate. They are not and will never be your friend. This is just a game they are playing with you. Even when an offender is talking to you they are testing your boundaries, and trying to see what kind of officer you are. Are you one that will let them get away with things, bring something in for them, or one that will enforce the rules and not put up with their crap? Keep in mind these guys are not where they are for singing too loud in church, and they have 24hrs a day to think of new ways to outsmart you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frontline

As I said before, the inmates are cool and only a couple have tried testing me.

Se the above statement.....please do NOT be cool with an inmate or you will wind up as a statistic. Come in follow policy and do your job. This will show them that you are there for one reason and one reason only. To do your job, and not put up with their crap.

Stay safe and watch your six as well as your fellow officers.

PepeLep · 11-25-2008, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldbullridr

...most of all, any time an inmate asks a question your first and immediate answer is NO.

Amen.

My favorite thing to do is say no. That's my go to answer to anything. One of my favorite things is when a thug says,"Can I ask you a question?" I just say no and move on.

I forget which old CO told me this, but I've passed it on to nearly every new staff I meet. "It's a lot easier to turn a no into a yes than it is to turn a yes into a no."

all4114all · 11-25-2008, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PepeLep

Amen.

My favorite thing to do is say no. That's my go to answer to anything. One of my favorite things is when a thug says,"Can I ask you a question?" I just say no and move on.

I forget which old CO told me this, but I've passed it on to nearly every new staff I meet. "It's a lot easier to turn a no into a yes than it is to turn a yes into a no."

I use the "just say no" speech to my new classes. I also tell them that prison is no place to be "nice" and polite. It is perfectly fine to be rude and say no. If that is too hard for them, I tell them to say, "I don't know. Let me check on it." Then the inmate knows the answre is gonna be no since they were testing anyhow!

Crosstimbers Okie · 11-26-2008, 03:30 AM

You've got to be able to say "No" and mean it. If you need to, you can always say "Yes" later. But it's much harder to say "No" after you've already said "Yes."

HapkidoKa · 11-26-2008, 05:26 AM

The reason staff may not want to deal with you may be because you consider yourself to be cool with the inmates. I've got less than a month in and will not talk with anyone who says they are cool with any inmate! You can't be cool with someone who will like nothing more than to see you hurting.

Tinkplink · 11-26-2008, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crosstimbers Okie

You've got to be able to say "No" and mean it. If you need to, you can always say "Yes" later. But it's much harder to say "No" after you've already said "Yes."

Hey Okie, I have been amazed over the years how many staff members are affraid to tell an inmate "NO"! Your response is dead on. If you can't tell a grown man/women no, you are in the wrong line of work. Maybe they should try politics...