Young Corrections Officers?

Question

Im thinking about becoming a Corrections Officer at WCC in Shelton, Washington. I wanna work with my dad and have a good job. My dad is a CO2 at WCC as of right now. My dad stated that if i join WCC at the age of 18, fresh out of High School that the Offenders won't respect me because im too young and there not going to listen to a Kid in Prison when they are Older. Would it be smart to pursue this job after i graduate this year?

Answer 1

If that were the case then they would raise the minimum age for officers.  I work at the state prison in Arizona and we have Officers of all ages.  As long as you are a straight up person and do your job and treat them fairly yet with firm authority you will be fine.  I highly recommend that you work toward some type of a degree, however I would talk to the personnel department and see if they will reimburse your tuition, if not then get that out of the way first.  That will help with promotions and raises down the line.  Good luck with whichever path you choose.

Answer 2

people in most correctional facilities dont respect authorities regardless of age. my advice would be to go to a junior college and get a two year degree in criminal justice, sociology, or psychology. any of those degrees would look good on a resume as well as prepare you for a future job in corrections. this will also give you time to get some life experience which will be a good thing to have working in a jail. good luck

Answer 3

LISTEN TO YOUR DAD BEING A CO IS HARD WORK I'M PRETTY SURE HE TOLD YOU PLENTY OF HORROR STORIES. PRISONERS FLOODING THERE CELLS, THROWING c**p AND URINE IN YOUR FACE,CUTTING AND STABBING EACH OTHER AND KILLING JUST BECAUSE ONE GUY LOOKED AT ANOTHER GUYS GIRL DURING A VISIT. OR BECAUSE THEY ARE A MEMBER OF A GANG. YOU MIGHT WANT TO TRY THE SHERIFFS DEPT. THEN WHEN YOU GET MORE IN TUNE WITH THE ADULT WORLD OF CRIMINALS THEN IF YOU WANT TO BE A CO GO FOR IT. MILITARY EXPERIENCE IS ALWAYS A PLUS IN ANY TYPE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. GOOD LUCK KID! IT'S GOOD TO SEE SOMEONE WHO WANTS TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION INSTEAD OF PART OF THE PROBLEM.