Saturday, June 28, 2008
E-mail this story E-mail this story Print this story Print this story E-mail updates Get Newsletters Comment on this story

Corrections officer: Killer job

last updated: May 07, 2008 02:40:06 AM

The High Five

Most Emailed Stories

Most Commented Stories

Over the past few months much has been said regarding the officers and supervisors of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations. Most comments are that they are overpaid and underworked; one judge even said that assault is part of the job. As a correctional sergeant for 22 years, I can say it's not an easy profession and not for everybody.

Over the last month we have seen: Officers and medical staff being gassed (water, urine, feces thrown on them); officers assaulted while transporting inmates; staff spat on; housing unit officers assaulted; inmates assaulting staff during meals; inmates instructing other inmates on how to assault staff; weapons found in cells; weapons found after fights.

How would you like to work in a place where the people you supervise are trying to assault or kill you? Californians want criminals locked up, but they don't want to support those who do the job.

As for overtime, all officer and most sergeant and lieutenant positions must be filled due to safety concerns. Staff must be present to run the housing units and supervise kitchens, recreational yards, education, vocational training, medical areas, etc. Without proper staffing, more assaults and attacks would occur.

D.D. KINCHELOE

Modesto

Be the first to comment on this story click the 'Add Comment' Tab!


Modbee.com is pleased to be able to offer its users the opportunity to make comments and hold conversations online. However, the interactive nature of the internet makes it impracticable for our staff to monitor each and every posting.

Since Modbee.com does not control user submitted statements, we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted on our website. In addition, we remind anyone interested in making an online comment that responsibility for statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not The Modesto Bee.

If you find a comment offensive, clicking on the exclamation icon will flag the comment for review by the administrators, we are counting on the good judgment of all our readers to help us.