I'm getting ready to take become a correctional officer in Illinois?

Question

I'm bilingual spanish and english can anybody give me any info about this type of job. Thank you

Answer 1

Depending on what prison in Illinois you want to work at. I worked at Pontiac and the old Joliet before they closed it. Was transferred to Stateville and quit from there. That is a bad prison. I only worked at max joints but there are 26 adult facilities in Illinois. If you need to know anything else I could fill you in on the test and stuff.

Answer 2

You turn keys, flip switches, chuck trays and hope you don't get shanked everyday.  

Everyday, every inmate sizes you and down.  Trying to see if they can get something past you.  Some might not even care since you'll be "On the new" inside.

It will take a strong mental focus to do the job.  The basics of the job are not hard, it's you clientele that makes it hard.

Answer 3

I was once a deputy jailer in Ky.  To correct the previous answer: cells don't usually have "keys" anymore; you have radios to dispatch to the control room to unlock any door for you .  You will quickly learn which inmates you can trust and which ones to watch your back.  The most paint in the a@# for me was passing out meds at night while the nurse was not there.  While your passing them out, several inmates complain of a headache or a muscle ache just to get you to give them Tylenol.  They want any drug you have.  You will also hear about a lot of things you don't want to hear about like 'g*y stuff'.  DO NOT become friends with them!  If you come off too friendly, other inmates will see that and think that they can act up around you.  DO NOT buy them things from the outside world like cigarettes or you will start arguments with other inmates wanting you to do the same for them.  Running the control room can be very boring.  At first it's kind of neat because you can push a button for any cell and hear what their talking about, turn their water, TV, & lights out.  You can do this if their acting out of line.  While you are transporting them to and from the rec. room or the library, don't put your back to any of them.  I would say the funniest thing about working there would be booking the drunks for overnight stay.  Trying to get them to cooperate while your taking prints is sometimes hilarious.  The normal new guy doesn't usually have any problems adjusting to this kind of work.  You'll do fine.