starting at central prison soon

[searchyou]

any one from central prison out there who can give me some kind of idea of what to expect?i will be stating in oct.

[searchyou]

thanks for the info!!!!i am looking foward to starting my career in corrections.

[OfficerPedde]

Welcome to NCDOC!!!

[Custodian]

Originally Posted by killabytes

Welcome to central!

Your first week will be 1 day of paperwork and a tour, getting uniforms, then the rest of the week you'll most likely be at wake tech for classes(very short version of basic, doesn't certify you). Second week you'll be working in the different units normally half day, then another the other half. Friday of that week is normally when you find out what unit you're assigned to and will spend friday working in that unit, off Sat, Sunday you'll either start on rotation or continue to be off till Monday depending which group(or shift if you prefer) you're assigned to. Your first couple weeks working in your unit you'll be assigned to a mentor(you won't be alone). Ask questions, the only stupid question is the question not asked.

You don't have a choice of shifts or Units, you can request but more than likely they won't approve it unless they're in a good mood, or there's a valid reason.

Be fair and Consistent with the inmates(you'll hear it alot) and you'll be fine, if you're an ass to them, they're going to make your job 100x harder. If you treat them with some respect they'll make your job much easier, not saying befriend them at all, but generally if you just walk up and ask them to do something without sounding like an ass they'll go ahead and do it. Mental health is a bit different...

Also don't bother asking what they did, or reading their files, you'll only regret knowing and you won't be able to be fair and consistent. Not knowing is the best way to go in my opinion, some officers like to know but once you do know you'll end up finding yourself treating them different.

Get a good pair of black(able to be polished) walking shoes for lots of walking and standing, few posts on these forums recommending different shoes, but don't spend a lot of money at first as this job isn't for everyone. If you have the money to spare, go get a Nylon duty belt, handcuff holder, and baton ring about $60 total give or take at Lawmen's in Raleigh/Garner. If you don't have the money, you'll still want to get a baton holder(about $9) as we haven't switched to the Collapsible batons yet, soon we're supposed to switch but no date yet. You can live without it but putting the baton in your issued leather belt is a bit of a pain and uncomfortable.

Welcome aboard. I'm sure some of the Central Vets will have more input for you, I'm still a rookie myself so that's about all the information I can give.

I work at CP and all this really depends on what rotation, unit, and shift you get.

I did not get a mentor for my first few days. I worked with 10 different people on 10 different days and they were not promoted or certified as mentors. I had to learn the job on my own. I've seen some changes since my time at CP and maybe my situation was an isolated incident but I really don't know. Firm, fair, consistent? Sure. But whatever you do when it comes down to a decision it may not SEEM fair to some inmates and if that's so, screw 'em. They got to prison all by themselves and you are their immediate supervisor and don't let them tell you any different.

Not reading their files? Obviously you haven't had outside hospital duty. It becomes your job to know what they did and it is a mandatory read because how are you going to know what kind of force you can use? You can only use deadly force on some types of inmates! If inmates are in yellow or green jumpers they are both safekeepers, do you know which color means they are felonies? This is quite important to know. You can know what's in their jacket and be impartial, your supervisors are. If you worked in Transportation/Support Services or were a Detention officer for a county Sheriff's jail you would have the inmates jacket with you at the holding pods and there it is REQUIRED to know their crimes as you are dealing with federal & state offenders. This is all about being professional. And if you can't be professional here, get out before you get yourself or another officer hurt. Prisoners have endless games to play, have numerous monologues and questions to feel you out, separate your mindset and try to make you question what you do for a living.

You treat inmates like inmates and you don't let them forget that. You don't let them talk to you like an equal or one of their boys, call you nicknames, except Officer, C/O or your last name. You need to establish your confidence in yourself and assert yourself at all times. Best thing to do is to bust an inmate early in your time at your institution, especially one who is a working resident. Show those with the most access that you are willing to scrutinize them and never be afraid to give orders to inmates, don't do their work, you are the boss, never forget that.

Don't even let your sergeant question that, especially in front of inmates. Assert yourself, you can do this. This October will be my one year anniversary at CP. I was molten metal when I arrived; now I'm hardened tungsten, I just keep getting sharper as the days get longer.

So what will you expect? Expect inmates to get close. If you are a man, they will challenge you RIGHT IN FRONT YOUR FACE to see if you will stop their criminal ways or if you are willing to look the other way and be quiet. Sometimes they might become sexual. If you are a woman, they will smile & try to become friendly, then sexual. There are 2 times in your career that inmates will study you. Your first month after being hired, the month after you have been certified to see what you've learned.

One caveat, never be afraid to spray an inmate (if they get loud, fists clenching, etc, etc), no bruises or blunt force, which is good for you [no excessive force charges]. Establish your dominance. And try not to be late for line-up, this is real bad.

[searchyou]

thanks for all of the information.i am really ready to start my career in corrections and want to start off on the right foot.i hope that there will be guidance from the other officers as this is a dangerous job and not knowing what to do when a situation arrises may cost someone there life.i am in pretty good shape, strong but not a large person.any advise on self defense training i could do on my own to get a step ahead?

[Custodian]

Originally Posted by searchyou

thanks for all of the information.i am really ready to start my career in corrections and want to start off on the right foot.i hope that there will be guidance from the other officers as this is a dangerous job and not knowing what to do when a situation arrises may cost someone there life.i am in pretty good shape, strong but not a large person.any advise on self defense training i could do on my own to get a step ahead?

How can I put this? The Department thinks that its weak kinda, wannabe martial art is the only one you should train in.

Now, that I've put that out there, you might want to try (if you're looking) a close quarters martial art. Anything from Karate to Wing Chun (there is a good school for that in Raleigh). Throwing styles would possibly be a good idea but considering the strength training inmates participate in, this also can be a bad idea if you are not exercising regularly.

Also, if you are not on one start an exercise regiment. I train about an hour or so a day. I was way over 300 lbs when I came to CP now I'm about 270, aiming for 215-200 range. Cardio and strength training is a must daily, no exceptions. Keep those calories down, workout hard and often. Workout like your life depends on it, because it just may. The resident expert on this subject is Sort2000. He can probably disable a man by looking at him.

[searchyou]

just bought a pair of 9"boots with side zip.are these okay? i dont want to spend alot of money on gear untill i now what is needed.any advise?

[nikdfish]

It's been a long time since I worked there. Back in the day, you had east side / west side. With east being transients, patients & food service workers(who could be really long term guys). West side was the long term population & tended towards the less cooperative. Shifts & work areas tended to be long term assignments. Is this still the case? When I worked there (back in the mid '70s) Officer's Quarters above the admin building were available rent free. I lived there a year while saving cash for school ...


Nick

[sort2000]

Originally Posted by Custodian

How can I put this? The Department thinks that its weak kinda, wannabe martial art is the only one you should train in.

Now, that I've put that out there, you might want to try (if you're looking) a close quarters martial art. Anything from Karate to Wing Chun (there is a good school for that in Raleigh). Throwing styles would possibly be a good idea but considering the strength training inmates participate in, this also can be a bad idea if you are not exercising regularly.

Also, if you are not on one start an exercise regiment. I train about an hour or so a day. I was way over 300 lbs when I came to CP now I'm about 270, aiming for 215-200 range. Cardio and strength training is a must daily, no exceptions. Keep those calories down, workout hard and often. Workout like your life depends on it, because it just may. The resident expert on this subject is Sort2000. He can probably disable a man by looking at him.

Oh Custodian, I'm a really nice guy, you know that. I remember when you were a straight off the street "New Jack" eyes wide open not knowing nothing. Just kidding, actually some good solid advice from Custodian. Searchyou you must remember were you are coming to work at. You are coming to work at a maximum security facility, the worst of the worst. In my years I have seen guys carried out of here on stretchers, both officers and inmates, gutted and sliced. The type of inmates we have are the ones people have nightmares about, the reason why they lock their doors at night. You need to be in the mindset everytime you walk in the front door of that facility. Everyday you come to work can be the day you get F'd Up!!! Never, ever be afraid to challenge an inmate or let an inmate intimidate you. Never let your guard down, EVER!!!! Always be on point with your head screwed on tight. Staff always comes first before inmates every time. You must be physically and mentally fit and have it in you that you will come out the winner in every situation. Inmates workout everyday getting strong, doing 1,000 situps and 1,000 pushups everyday in their cell. FOR WHAT??? Because they want those beach muscle??? HELL NO!!!! They ain't going to the beach anytime soon. They want to be ready to kick your azz when the time comes. I don't beat around the bush, I'm straight to point kind of guy with inmates and especially with other officers. I tell it how it is and don't water anything down. That would be an injustice to you. I will not disrepect you as an officer but your feelings might get hurt, don't take it personal. As a supervisor I'm trying to keep you alive. If you screw up, I will let you know. If you are doing a good job, I will pat you on the back and tell you. You give me 100% during the shift, I will back you up 100%. I will not tolerate any inmate disrespecting one of my officers or even worse, assault one of my officers. Now, I'm speaking for myself and not all supervisors carry the same mindset as myself. If you want to get more experience and learn more, come looking for me once you get certified.

By the way, groundfighting is the best for what we do since most encounters end up on the floor.

[searchyou]

thanks for the info guys.just reading your post makes me alot more aware of the dangers you guys face everday.i have no problem standing my ground or going fist to cuffs with anyone regardless of there size.i guess my # 1 reason of going into corrections is to join a group of people who want to protect and serve the the public.i will work everday to do just that, with honor and dignity.cant wait to join the ranks and start what i hope will be a rewarding career in corrections.