For the past 2 months I've been working as a correctional officer. I've gotten my first two paychecks ever and I finally have my own money.
How do I like the job? My honest answer is, not so much. Only good days are off-days and paydays. The job itself isn't difficult really. Most criminals are pretty calm, and although there are special cases, most of the days are pretty much following the routine.
The job is quite easy to get a hang of as day in, day out you do the same tasks. The worst part about it are the long, 12 hour shifts. There's also 1 extra unpaid hour, which is spent on counting all the convicts. That means that by the time I get home and finish my 'dinner', the clock is pretty much 23:00. And the next day I have to wake up 5:30 and finish doing all my morning task and catch the buss by 6:30.
Maybe it's the lack of sleep, but I feel depression creeping on me. Working in the prison environment is really... how should I put it: the air feels 'heavy' there (if that makes any sense). And I don't like it. I'm already thinking of a career change after a few years.
I would honestly quit right now, but this job is a really good way to make a starting fund. I'm currently thinking of working until compulsory military service, which takes a bit less than a year to complete. After that do one year in the academy, which would raise my salary 30%. Completing the academy also obliges me to work in the facility for the next two years. I'm thinking that during that time I could enroll in some university courses for long distance learners. That way by the time my 2 years at the facility ends, I could enroll in the university full time for the last year and get a degree by the time I'm 25.
But then again, planning so far ahead might not work out. I might just quit right after the military service, because I know that I don't want to continue doing it. I'd much rather work 9-5 doing something more related to my interests.
At least I know that I want to go back to university. A year ago I felt completely hopeless about myself, but right now I feel that I can do a lot more, and be more responsible and serious about the task in hand.
Right now I feel out of place and don't know what to do. This blog feels really immature.
Well that's good, but yeah some jobs are just really rough and you have to tough it out, especially if you don't plan on doing it for your whole life. I can see how being a correctional officer would be taxing on a person, I myself don't think I could do it. But it's a life experience like another so keep your head up and you never know, it might lead to something you'll like better
People often say that cops and people in the justice system are the same types that would be on the opposite side of the law, they just had a worse upbringing with no structure. IE; why most cops are dickheads on power trips.
You don't seem like you're that kind of guy, so I dunno what to say.
I would honestly quit right now, but this job is a really good way to make a starting fund. I'm currently thinking of working until compulsory military service, which takes a bit less than a year to complete. After that do one year in the academy, which would raise my salary 30%. Completing the academy also obliges me to work in the facility for the next two years. I'm thinking that during that time I could enroll in some university courses for long distance learners. That way by the time my 2 years at the facility ends, I could enroll in the university full time for the last year and get a degree by the time I'm 25.
That plan sounds very detailed! For some added perspective and influence outside the job you might consider enrolling in some coursera.org courses to get a feel for some other pursuits/studies. It could be a pastime for your bus rides and something to occupy otherwise mentally dead time on the job. I feel for ya dude, but hang in there and keep those blogs coming! This wasn't a whining blog post, but even if it was there's no need to apologize for it.
I recall reading about how the prison environment (as a corrections officer) can invoke exactly the depressing feelings you're explaining in your post. Unfortunately I can't find the article in my pocket so I'm unable to link it D: but I'm sure it's well documented somewhere.
I remember reading about it when you first started, i'd just keep trying to adjust your schedule and try and stay positive, because I know it can be really easy to become negative when working at a place like that.
Stay strong dude!
nice blog ! Thanks for sharing. 4/5 because I want you to cheer up
Regarding your morale and how you can feel depression creeping up on you, also remember that it's almost winter. Most people do experience a dip in morale as the days get really short and you basically never see the Sun anymore (I know it affects me quite a lot).
But as you mention, there are plenty of positive aspects to your situation. So keep going, focus on your plan and don't give up on your objectives ! :-)
On December 11 2014 04:40 Plexa wrote: I recall reading about how the prison environment (as a corrections officer) can invoke exactly the depressing feelings you're explaining in your post. Unfortunately I can't find the article in my pocket so I'm unable to link it D: but I'm sure it's well documented somewhere.
Yeah, not sure if it's the same article but I've read about that as well.
At least I know that I want to go back to university. A year ago I felt completely hopeless about myself, but right now I feel that I can do a lot more, and be more responsible and serious about the task in hand.
Life is often a struggle and we have to make the best of it. This quote shows that you are. I wish you the best!
12 hour days are tough. How many hours total per week? Is it only 3 or for days a week? Most jobs that have long days like that have some sort of redeeming quality, like 2x pay after 40 hours, or two weeks on two weeks off, or something.
I hope there is a bright side.
From the people I know correctional service has a good future. Job security, good retirement benefits that reward life time employees.
Look for opportunities to move up the ladder. Management opportunities, training, something to work for. You could be superintendent one day. Focus on doing your job well. Learning all you can from those who are the best employees.
Thanks for all the replies! I really feel a lot better now (and more positive!).
On December 13 2014 02:36 Smancer wrote: The grass is always greener.
12 hour days are tough. How many hours total per week? Is it only 3 or for days a week? Most jobs that have long days like that have some sort of redeeming quality, like 2x pay after 40 hours, or two weeks on two weeks off, or something.
I hope there is a bright side.
From the people I know correctional service has a good future. Job security, good retirement benefits that reward life time employees.
Look for opportunities to move up the ladder. Management opportunities, training, something to work for. You could be superintendent one day. Focus on doing your job well. Learning all you can from those who are the best employees.
In theory, it should be 4 workdays and 3 off, but as it is, it's all fitting the schedule together for more than 30 people. That means that the start of my month might be filled with workdays, but by the end of it I might get lots of off days, to have a 'mini vacation'.
On the other hand I might get suddenly called to work, which can account for overtime, meaning 1.5x the pay for each hour. In case of holidays, such as christmas, independence day etc, the pay is doubled.
In addition to that, there are bonuses for good work results, and the employees often get free courses/training related to the job.
As for moving up in the ladder, that probably won't happen very soon, but then again, one can never know what might happen in a few years.
Thanks again for the motivational words! Depressing thought are really easy to come by in such a facility (most of my 'clients' are really dumb).
One last thing: my belief in human-rights at a correctional facilty might on some days be really frail.
EPT
