Considering BOP

[Hack4Life]

I've read with interest the replies to your question, and must say that there are some very knowledgeable people in this forum. I've been in corrections for 22 years and in the Bureau for the last 12. I've been a recruiter/Selective Placement Pgm Mgr for 9 years, and before anyone thinks That I Kiss up to move up, Wrong..., I've been awarded "Rookie of the Quarter", and "Officer of the Year", and have still never once received a QSI (Quality Step Increase). I have never asked for or expected one. I am currently our Union Local's president, a member of our Employee's Club and am active with the Correctional Workers Week each year. I do these things in hopes of making our work invironment just a little bit better for everyone. I am very happy with the job that I have as a GL-8 Custody Officer, and if I retire as a GL-8 step 10, I will have had a good career. Now as far as those who talk down about the Bureau, take it with a grain a salt. As careers in corrections go, I do believe that The Bureau of Prisons is as good as any other, with a few benefits that won't be found in state and private facilities, such as "Federal Law Enforcement Retirement" which allows you to retire as early as age 50 with 20 years of Bureau service, at any age with 25 years of service, or mandatory at age 57. That's still young enough to enjoy a little bit of it. Good luck with whatever you decide.

[bar_acres]

good bye all

[Crosstimbers Okie]

Originally Posted by bar_acres

OK, so you want to work at Big Spring. Then you should know what you're getting into first...

Back in 1992, this was the facility where they (management Region & Central Office) sent the screw-ups, pigeon-holed them into a tight cubbyhole and let them retire into obscurity. Don't misunderstand me, it was much better to work there then than at present.

Big Spring was a camp (yellow curb) as called by some, and still has to this day some of that mentality. KGB does not stand for a Russian spy unit, instead it stands for "Kinder, Gentler, Bureau." Meaning...the inmates are looked upon by some staff as their "pets" or offspring that they protect from the evil rules and discipline of the correctional staff.

Now, it's designated as a "LOW" which is jokingly referred to Big Spring USP. If there were towers, it would be reclassed as a "MED" easily. There are more med inmates than any other group and some highs.

A very wise person once told me..."You'll have more problems with staff, than you ever will with inmates." And ya know, that person has been correct everyday since 1992.

"Its a pretty good place." Not to me, in fact it's been getting worse with each passing day. If you come to Big Spring, you will need the union from time to time...everyone does...why you ask...well, it's your boss, or it's another staff member, or its a Lt., or it's a policy issue, but rest assured...it's always gonna be something. Seems like when things are running smoothly, somebody has got to poke a stick in it and stir like hell.

If I had it to do all over, I'd go with CIA, FBI, NSA, ICE, or some other agency. That's experience talking to you...do you hear ME!

It seems the most prolific problems come from Management down the hersey way road...if you understand. When one of management's own crosses the line, nothing happens usually; but let a line staff do his/her job and upset an inmate...holy **** does that person need a shower when they get thru with him/her. I've seen management accuse staff wrongfully and not even so much as an appology. I've seen management order staf to complete a task by COB today, and then deny the overtime sheet saying they didn't authorize it. I've seen staff threatened, YES THREATENED, to withdraw their complaint against management / others or else bad, ugly things would be said officially about them and basically making them stay in Big Spring, never to leave.

My advice to you or anyone thinking about coming to BIG SPRING is: Don't come to BIG SPRING if your vehicle has a steering wheel, and the only ones I know coming here without a steering wheel are the inmates...and they ain't driving!

Hope this deterred even the most determined applicant!

Oh, almost forgot...location withheld!

Damn, we both started in 1992, and had nearly identical experiences in the BOP throughout the 1990s in the BOP's South Central region!

Must be a conspiracy...

[shakedownshorti]

Oh, no....not another Crosstimbers!!!

[Crosstimbers Okie]

Yes, I'm replicating...

[grunt11b]

Originally Posted by GUNNER

Run the other way...Fast

HAHAHAHA!! Not if you like money though.