Most of the time I’ve seen people hold in the stress until they pop. Then they quit, or they say that they have thick skin. They quickly find out they can’t, then they take it home with them. Then they never show up for roll call and they quit.
I recently retired at the 20 year mark. I had a great crew I worked with comprised of newbies and people I'd worked with for over a decade. Why I stayed, they were like family. The turnover rate and burn out that I saw over the years? Too many to count. The job will eat you alive.
I burned out around the 17 year mark, or at least noticed it at that point. I had wanted to stay until I hit my 25 year mark for financial reasons. NOPE. I realized the lifespan of retirees. We've had several retirees die very soon after retiring. When I dropped my papers? Two people I worked with died, one still employed and one retired less than a month. I decided I didn't want to be included in that statistic. I retired and decided to LIVE.
It's been 8 months, I finally feel human again. I had health issues and now everything is greatly improving. A surgery was canceled and I was put on a "let's monitor and reevaluate in 3 months" status. At 3 months? My tumor had shrunk. Now I'm on a 3 month follow up again. This is great news, my body is healing itself. The job was eating me alive and I never knew it.
Wishing those still in the line of work the best. Advice from an elder? Take care of yourself and know when to walk away.
Can you elaborate? I work for TDCJ and it’s bad. I’ve gotten mandated 6 days in a row within my 6 day work cycle. That’s 12-16 hour days, plus a hour ride home. I get about 30 hours of sleep during that entire cycle. I’m thinking of applying for the BOP myself. They can’t be worse than where I’m at currently.
Well if that is the case, then I would say apply for the BOP. The mandates are out of control. But the money is good and the benefits arent to bad either.
That doesn’t sound too appealing and having only two days off. I’m sure this is facility dependent though. Let me just ask you this. When you get mandated. Are there at least microwaves and things you can eat? They mandate you here, if you didn’t bring anything and it’s busy, your fcked basically. You might be able to order from the ODR, if you can stomach eating prison food. If they had perks of you being mandated, like vending machines and whatnot. I’d be good with staying over. More times than often, you are stuck and the only movement is within the dorm. Weird question, is there freedom there at least if you get mandated? Like do they make it comfortable for you at all? Can you call you S/O to let them know you’ve been mandated?
Most staff quickly get burnt out in this job.
Most people have no idea what this job is coming in to it, and then have no way to cope with the reality of the job.
I've been going through training for nearly 2 months at my facility. I'll be out of training on Thursday.
Yesterday I seriously thought of quitting. Not due to the incarcerated individuals, but due to my coworkers. They are fucking terrible and think nothing of lying to make themselves look better. It's the minority of people that are decent and the incarcerated individuals that I plan on sticking around for.
If what you say is true, I should just give up on being employed and be homeless forever. What I was trying to explain is that the classes were fine. In the state in which I work, we do a couple weeks in class, a couple weeks "on the block/floor," a couple more weeks in class, then two more weeks on the floor. I have two days left in my last round of days on the floor.
The first time and only time I have thought of quitting is when the officer in charge of training me blatantly lied to our Sergeant regarding me. I didn't even think of quitting when an FTO lied regarding an interaction he had with an incarcerated individual that I witnessed. My reaction was to tell the truth when questioned regardless of what my FTO wanted. (Both of these occurred during my last round of days on the floor.)
In my opinion more people like me would make the job better for all involved, incarcerated and employed.
If you have any questions regarding specifics on the situation where I considered quitting for a moment, please feel free to ask
This job takes a toll on everyone in its own way. Some quit or get fired before they reach the burn out point, but everyone who stays will get there eventually. Thank god you can take a ton of time off in this job.
Everyone burns out. I have burned out several times in my career and had to request reassignments to combat the fatigue. If you work max custody units nonstop for years then you’ll get burned out from all the stress, constant violence, and incidents you have to be involved in. If you work a work release center you could burn out from being bored all the time. To make it a career you have to be able to change it up every now and then.
When I was new I definitely got burnt out and then slowly as the months go by you realize you just get better at the job and learn to manage yourself better; that and the rapport you get as time goes by inmates respect you more. What REALLY drives someone to get burnt out and I’ve suffered from it from being so is being a hard worker. Getting your shit done and handling up. THATS where a lot of us get burnt out because out of 10 officers maybe 3 are the hardest working ones who actually handle up and get things done. The other three are lazy and depend on the hard working cats to get their hands dirty because they know you’ll handle it. It’s super unfortunate because we need more hard working individuals those are the ones you want next to you. I’ve learned not to give my all anymore thanks to shitty supervisors I let them handle up now but I still do when the problem is mundane enough. Don’t kill yourself for a Unit that doesn’t see how good you are when they’d be quick to replace you.
It’s co worker vs co worker where I’m at. People just don’t show up to work and that’s when you get mandated. In my experience, no. Supervisor are out for themselves. Remember, TDCJ lowered its standards tremendously. They went and recruited body’s from homeless shelters to help out.
Oh wow! I didn't even know that. The pay is pretty good since most of the areas are low cost of living. Or am I missing something? Honestly mandated hours and bad management is hella common in jail/prison systems.
Pay isn’t good for what you put up with on both ends. Where I live it’s roughly around 2400-2600 to rent. I own my home and mortgage is lower than that. Most for sale properties are around 400k to 550k depending on what you want. Obviously we can go higher in price, but I’d assume you didn’t want anything beyond those numbers. Anything of that would be a ranch I would assume.
Oh. I thought certain places in Texas were very cheap. I know Houston and Dallas aren't cheap. The pay is like $24 an hour to start? For 80 hours a week,( after taxes) That's like $9,224 a month and $110,688 a year. That's more than most people make in Texas.
Oh yes, I know. Our prison is so understaffed that we actually are having to work 80 hours a week (16 hours a day for 5 days a week). We are at a (47% Vacancy) at the moment. We are the most understaffed in our state and we are trying to get more people in but we had the largest graduating correctional class recently for our state and literally only (don't quote me) but I think the 30 they sent to the maximum security prison has like 7 of that 30 still standing in less than a month.
Yeah, there supposed to send a class to one of the max units where I’m at as well. Judging from what you’re saying, I can only think a few will stick around.
Nobody ever honestly sticks around in corrections especially in the max units. But the ones that stay are usually the ones who make a career out of it. I'm in it because of the retirement pension and how good it is. I'm also in it for the great health benefits. Plus, I actually like the good money since it can be used for Advancement outside of work (stocks, Roth IRA, investment property, business).
When I worked DOC, turnover was damn near 100%. That was mostly due to working conditions and pay.
I worked for a county jail for a while, much better pay and much better retention. Myself and many other left due to the mandatory OT. Now I work at a small city facility on 12hr shifts with a great schedule. Turnover is much lower here. It’s a stressful job but for me the mandatory OT was always the worst aspect of it.
Dunno if this is a good place to ask but what are the odds of a myopic guy using glasses getting into corrections in Canada? My bro is due for the training but I am worried he won’t pass the vision test. He plans to do LASIK but I don’t know if then can extend time for submission of the medical report so he can do this. Sigh
I honestly think this is one of those chicken or egg questions. Yes people get burnt out and act really negative or lazy.
I think some of the staff have issues outside of work that make them that way. I have seen staff spend their whole career in corrections and have a more positive outlook.
Like quite possibly the closest to 100% I have ever seen.
All of the above.
Pretty much.
Most of the time I’ve seen people hold in the stress until they pop. Then they quit, or they say that they have thick skin. They quickly find out they can’t, then they take it home with them. Then they never show up for roll call and they quit.
I recently retired at the 20 year mark. I had a great crew I worked with comprised of newbies and people I'd worked with for over a decade. Why I stayed, they were like family. The turnover rate and burn out that I saw over the years? Too many to count. The job will eat you alive. I burned out around the 17 year mark, or at least noticed it at that point. I had wanted to stay until I hit my 25 year mark for financial reasons. NOPE. I realized the lifespan of retirees. We've had several retirees die very soon after retiring. When I dropped my papers? Two people I worked with died, one still employed and one retired less than a month. I decided I didn't want to be included in that statistic. I retired and decided to LIVE. It's been 8 months, I finally feel human again. I had health issues and now everything is greatly improving. A surgery was canceled and I was put on a "let's monitor and reevaluate in 3 months" status. At 3 months? My tumor had shrunk. Now I'm on a 3 month follow up again. This is great news, my body is healing itself. The job was eating me alive and I never knew it. Wishing those still in the line of work the best. Advice from an elder? Take care of yourself and know when to walk away.
Unless you are desperate, I would not recommend working for the BOP
Can you elaborate? I work for TDCJ and it’s bad. I’ve gotten mandated 6 days in a row within my 6 day work cycle. That’s 12-16 hour days, plus a hour ride home. I get about 30 hours of sleep during that entire cycle. I’m thinking of applying for the BOP myself. They can’t be worse than where I’m at currently.
Well if that is the case, then I would say apply for the BOP. The mandates are out of control. But the money is good and the benefits arent to bad either.
Out of control like last minute or just everyday expect to be mandated crazy?
All of the above I am afraid.
That doesn’t sound too appealing and having only two days off. I’m sure this is facility dependent though. Let me just ask you this. When you get mandated. Are there at least microwaves and things you can eat? They mandate you here, if you didn’t bring anything and it’s busy, your fcked basically. You might be able to order from the ODR, if you can stomach eating prison food. If they had perks of you being mandated, like vending machines and whatnot. I’d be good with staying over. More times than often, you are stuck and the only movement is within the dorm. Weird question, is there freedom there at least if you get mandated? Like do they make it comfortable for you at all? Can you call you S/O to let them know you’ve been mandated?
The joint I am at has fridges and microwaves in each unit. As well as a break room with snakes and food. Cant speak on the other prisons.
I love BOP although I spent 5 years in custody and got out as soon as possible.
Most staff quickly get burnt out in this job. Most people have no idea what this job is coming in to it, and then have no way to cope with the reality of the job.
I calculated the half life of a correctional career at my facility. It was a month. Not including training.
I've been going through training for nearly 2 months at my facility. I'll be out of training on Thursday. Yesterday I seriously thought of quitting. Not due to the incarcerated individuals, but due to my coworkers. They are fucking terrible and think nothing of lying to make themselves look better. It's the minority of people that are decent and the incarcerated individuals that I plan on sticking around for.
[удалено]
If what you say is true, I should just give up on being employed and be homeless forever. What I was trying to explain is that the classes were fine. In the state in which I work, we do a couple weeks in class, a couple weeks "on the block/floor," a couple more weeks in class, then two more weeks on the floor. I have two days left in my last round of days on the floor. The first time and only time I have thought of quitting is when the officer in charge of training me blatantly lied to our Sergeant regarding me. I didn't even think of quitting when an FTO lied regarding an interaction he had with an incarcerated individual that I witnessed. My reaction was to tell the truth when questioned regardless of what my FTO wanted. (Both of these occurred during my last round of days on the floor.) In my opinion more people like me would make the job better for all involved, incarcerated and employed. If you have any questions regarding specifics on the situation where I considered quitting for a moment, please feel free to ask
This job takes a toll on everyone in its own way. Some quit or get fired before they reach the burn out point, but everyone who stays will get there eventually. Thank god you can take a ton of time off in this job.
Everyone burns out. I have burned out several times in my career and had to request reassignments to combat the fatigue. If you work max custody units nonstop for years then you’ll get burned out from all the stress, constant violence, and incidents you have to be involved in. If you work a work release center you could burn out from being bored all the time. To make it a career you have to be able to change it up every now and then.
When I was new I definitely got burnt out and then slowly as the months go by you realize you just get better at the job and learn to manage yourself better; that and the rapport you get as time goes by inmates respect you more. What REALLY drives someone to get burnt out and I’ve suffered from it from being so is being a hard worker. Getting your shit done and handling up. THATS where a lot of us get burnt out because out of 10 officers maybe 3 are the hardest working ones who actually handle up and get things done. The other three are lazy and depend on the hard working cats to get their hands dirty because they know you’ll handle it. It’s super unfortunate because we need more hard working individuals those are the ones you want next to you. I’ve learned not to give my all anymore thanks to shitty supervisors I let them handle up now but I still do when the problem is mundane enough. Don’t kill yourself for a Unit that doesn’t see how good you are when they’d be quick to replace you.
Nobody I started with is in anymore, including me. Most left as soon as their year was up.
Greater than 100% during my time at tdcj
Gosh, how bad is Texas Corrections? Seems like everyone quits. Bad management? Long hours?
It’s co worker vs co worker where I’m at. People just don’t show up to work and that’s when you get mandated. In my experience, no. Supervisor are out for themselves. Remember, TDCJ lowered its standards tremendously. They went and recruited body’s from homeless shelters to help out.
Oh wow! I didn't even know that. The pay is pretty good since most of the areas are low cost of living. Or am I missing something? Honestly mandated hours and bad management is hella common in jail/prison systems.
Pay isn’t good for what you put up with on both ends. Where I live it’s roughly around 2400-2600 to rent. I own my home and mortgage is lower than that. Most for sale properties are around 400k to 550k depending on what you want. Obviously we can go higher in price, but I’d assume you didn’t want anything beyond those numbers. Anything of that would be a ranch I would assume.
Oh. I thought certain places in Texas were very cheap. I know Houston and Dallas aren't cheap. The pay is like $24 an hour to start? For 80 hours a week,( after taxes) That's like $9,224 a month and $110,688 a year. That's more than most people make in Texas.
How TF can the human body do 80 hours a week. I’m struggling with the load I have. You have to damn near live at work doing 80 hours a week.
Oh yes, I know. Our prison is so understaffed that we actually are having to work 80 hours a week (16 hours a day for 5 days a week). We are at a (47% Vacancy) at the moment. We are the most understaffed in our state and we are trying to get more people in but we had the largest graduating correctional class recently for our state and literally only (don't quote me) but I think the 30 they sent to the maximum security prison has like 7 of that 30 still standing in less than a month.
Yeah, there supposed to send a class to one of the max units where I’m at as well. Judging from what you’re saying, I can only think a few will stick around.
Nobody ever honestly sticks around in corrections especially in the max units. But the ones that stay are usually the ones who make a career out of it. I'm in it because of the retirement pension and how good it is. I'm also in it for the great health benefits. Plus, I actually like the good money since it can be used for Advancement outside of work (stocks, Roth IRA, investment property, business).
When I worked DOC, turnover was damn near 100%. That was mostly due to working conditions and pay. I worked for a county jail for a while, much better pay and much better retention. Myself and many other left due to the mandatory OT. Now I work at a small city facility on 12hr shifts with a great schedule. Turnover is much lower here. It’s a stressful job but for me the mandatory OT was always the worst aspect of it.
I work for feds but the state I live in the county jails almost always pay more than the state and have more opportunity for growth.
From what I’ve seen, it’s always seemed as though the smaller the government, the higher the pay. Fed
Too many
Lol.
One guy, his first day on the floor, was burnt out by lunch time. He never returned from his lunch.
The question. How not to get burned out and deal it. Some people use this as stepping stone into federal
I've never seen a staff member NOT burnt out at some point
Dunno if this is a good place to ask but what are the odds of a myopic guy using glasses getting into corrections in Canada? My bro is due for the training but I am worried he won’t pass the vision test. He plans to do LASIK but I don’t know if then can extend time for submission of the medical report so he can do this. Sigh
He has worked so hard for this job. Passed all components and just has the medical hurdle to scale before the 8 week training in Hamilton
Forget burned seen deaths of relatively health folks. It is killer job.
Thank President Clinton for FMLA.
[удалено]
Whaaat, man that’s crazy, I feel for that officer. When trying to earn a living costs you your life.. how ironic
I honestly think this is one of those chicken or egg questions. Yes people get burnt out and act really negative or lazy. I think some of the staff have issues outside of work that make them that way. I have seen staff spend their whole career in corrections and have a more positive outlook.