Oklahoma DOC Questions

[Webb]

Hey I just found these forums today... I worked for a county facility for about a year and I'm currently in school working towards my bachelors degree in counseling/criminal justice. I've heard alot of good things about OK DOC and have been considering a career with them when I graduate but I have a few questions...

Mainly, what are the pros and cons (pun intended) of the different career paths?

P&P?
From what I read today sounds like you stay overworked and alot of guys burn out quickly...

Case Managers?
I guess you would mainly ride a desk and do classification?

Psychological Clinician?
Obviously would require graduate degree, what are the work schedules like? Do they seem to enjoy their jobs?

CO's?
Do most like their jobs or are they waiting for something better to come along? Is getting on CERT pretty competitive?


And secondly, what would you recommend as far as individual facilities? For instance, I've heard OSP and OSR are pretty rough and that OSP works a TON of overtime. I was looking at A&R mainly because of the transient population and getting to constantly work with new or different inmates. Any suggestions or are they all pretty much the same?

Thanks for your time and help. Sorry for all the questions but I'd rather do one post with twenty questions than twenty different posts asking one thing!

-Webb

[Crosstimbers Okie]

Welcome aboard! I started in Corrections with Oklahoma DOC at Joseph Harp CC in Lexington in 1990. My only complaint about Oklahoma DOC was the pay. Period. But the pay has come a long way since the early '90s. I looked forward to entering the sallyport every day. In fact, when I retire from the BOP I would like to return to Oklahoma DOC as a P&P Officer or CO.

I recommend that everyone new to Corrections spend a couple of years as a CO. Conkicker is a current OK DOC CO, and former P&P Officer. Cory, the Founder & brains of PO.Org is a CO at OSP. He's not here much because he's always at work. And he is on the CERT team. Dawg is a CO at Northeastern CC in Vinita.

Are you an ECU student?

[Webb]

Yeah I just transferred down here to ECU and moved into the dorms today.
I noticed the pay was alittle low but from people I've talked to you can make sergeant in a couple years and they make around 30k a year, which is decent for this area. I've also been looking into the FTC in OKC, but from what I've read on here BOP uniforms are pretty horrible yeah?

[Crosstimbers Okie]

The BOP is pretty horrible period. But the pay is good.

[coloradosgt79]

You will just have to ask yourself the question.Whats more important money or happiness?Do I want to work at a place where we can't carry non-lethal weapons and work with Americas most dangerous inmates just for a few more dollars.

[Crosstimbers Okie]

They do let us carry Maglights. Never underestimate the capabilities of a Maglight...

[coloradosgt79]

That is true fear the maglight.If I was in a tight spot I'd use it.

[Cory]

it also depends where you work.... OSP is 2-3 doubles a week at the moment we are so understaffed. However.. 20 yards out our front door at Jackie Brannon... they freak out if one of their officers works OT.. Talking about the department as a whole.. the money is "ok' where I am for the cost of living.. however.. but as far as how it is to work, every place is going to be different.

[buckeyedavidk]

I work at Private Prison in Cushing....It is somewhat different the ODOC...I hope we are not looked on as the Red-Headed step kids...Pay could be beter, the way superior officers speak to those lower than them is questionable at times. Either you will like it or not...You will have to decide once you are on the floor. The benefits are not quite as good in a private prison as DOC. My best wishes to you....Good Luck and Be Safe...

[Crosstimbers Okie]

Were you there when T.C. Peterson was Warden?