Hello Former Corrections Security Staff

[OfficerA.Menges]

I was browsing the internet the other day and found this website so I thought I would join. I am a corrections officer at LCCF (Lea County Corrections Facility) in Hobbs, NM operated by The GEO Group. I'm 21 years old, and so far love the job. Of course, the **** stick inmates can be a handful at times, but still the most laid back, easiest job I ever had. We are a Level 4 2 Tier facility that houses 1200 inmates. Thats about all I know of to report. lol

[Greg]

Welcome!

I'm interested to hear more about how working in a private prison compares to public institutions. I look forward to seeing your contributions to this forum.

[robeans]

Hey Watchman, the Geo Group also runs the huge ICE detention center that is near the docks in Tacoma. I took a police test with a guy from there and he really liked it. At the time he made more money than DOC but I believe his benefits weren't as good.

[OfficerA.Menges]

I can personally tell yall my benefits cause I really don't care if anyone knows. First off, all new c/o's make 15.49 an hour. However, we are so short staffed we run 12 hour shifts, at least 5 days a week. We also have what is called a bucket schedule. Thats just a fancy way of saying, on one of your days off, you have to come in and work. So pretty much work 6 days, 1 day off, work 5 days, have 2 off. At the same time, for the work-aholics out there, all the overtime you want, come in for an hour or 16 hours. You can imagine what our paychecks look like. As far as benefits, 2 weeks paid vacation every year. For every 6 months you are at the facility, you get a $500 retention bonus. For every security person you recruit, if they stay there 6 months, you get $500 for recruiting them. There is no limit to who all you recruit. So if I recruit 5 officers, who stay there a year, I get an extra $5000 for that year. Health, Dental, Vision is average. I think I pay 65.00 a month for just me (medical) 22 a month for dental. and maybe 11 a month for vision. we have a 401K but it is absolutely horrible, they dont match anything, and there is no retirement plan. Also, if you ever, ever, ever, work for any prison, make sure its not in new mexico. Nothing but babysitters here. All of them have cable and their own personal tv in their cell. The minimum restricts have playstation, xbox, etc. ummmmm, they get as many visits as they want, up to 6 hours a day. They have 4 chances to go to rec for 2 hours each session. All kinds of other stuff I agree keeps them busy, but still babied. Over here, inmates get paid to work. Food service makes maybe $.50 an hour. Pod porters make maybe $.30 an hour. They make inmates in texas work, and they dont even pay them there, which i believe is how it should be. They are in there to pay their debt to society. Not for them to get one penny of taxpayers dollars. They get new movies every friday. The prison rents movies for them to watch. They get to order pizza from like pizza hut.

I think I've rambled on enough, however I am open to questions. Feel free to ask, hope I didnt bore you too much.



Ohhh just one question, is every prison in every state have the same rank structure?


Here is our rank structure:

Cadet
Officer
Sergent
Lieutenant
Captain
Major
Warden

[Greg]

Originally Posted by robeans

Hey Watchman, the Geo Group also runs the huge ICE detention center that is near the docks in Tacoma. I took a police test with a guy from there and he really liked it. At the time he made more money than DOC but I believe his benefits weren't as good.

If I remember correctly, the GEO group is what Wackenhut is now calling itself.

[Greg]

Originally Posted by OfficerA.Menges

I can personally tell yall my benefits cause I really don't care if anyone knows. First off, all new c/o's make 15.49 an hour. However, we are so short staffed we run 12 hour shifts, at least 5 days a week. We also have what is called a bucket schedule. Thats just a fancy way of saying, on one of your days off, you have to come in and work. So pretty much work 6 days, 1 day off, work 5 days, have 2 off. At the same time, for the work-aholics out there, all the overtime you want, come in for an hour or 16 hours.

I'm surprised to see that a private prison actually pays that much. How does that compare to the New Mexico DOC?

Sounds like the OT really sucks. We have a lot of OT, but not nearly that bad.

Our rank structure:

CO1
CO2
SGT
LT and/or Custody Unit Supervisor
CAPT and/or Correctional Program Manager
Assoc. Supt
Supt

[FracDiesel]

Welcome, I just joined a couple days ago too. Pretty cool site for us, kinda nice. Anyway, I am a federal Correctional Offcier and our ranks are:
Officer GL-5
Officer GL-6
Senior Officer
Senior Officer Specialist
Lt. GL-9
Lt. GL-11
Deputy Captain
Captain
and I think next is...Associate Warden (if there are any feds in the house correct me if I am wrong)
Warden
Go FEDS!!!!

[shakedownshorti]

Welcome to the boards Sir!!!

[OfficerA.Menges]

Yes GEO is formerly known as Wackenhut. the state CD pays less than us, but obviously the benefits are alot better, since its more of a governmental job. i believe its a 25 year retirement plan for state here.

[co1669]

Hey OfficerA.Menges,
Welcome to the boards.Former Wackenhut C.O. here.I used to work in a immigration lock-up in Queens N.Y. for Wackenhut but had to leave it for a city DOC job.