It was wild… !
I worked as a correctional officer in the county jail. Ask me anything about life behind bars — from the other side of the bars.
I’m a former 2-year+ correctional officer in Oklahoma City (Oklahoma County), based on the super maximum unit , AMA.
r/AMA
Comments
How worried about rape should a prisoner actually be?
Biggest event you recall happening during your time there? (I.e. escape, riot, etc)
And are you super buff like all the Oklahoma troopers on Live Patrol?!? Is that like a requirement?! 🤣
Most correctional officers I’ve known wanted to be cops, but couldn’t hack it for whatever reason.
One, in particular, had psychological issues that held him back.
Is this still common?
Were you ever attacked by an inmate?
Do prisons accomodate food allergies or sensitivities? If I’m allergic to peanuts or require non-dairy foods, would they be available or should I just not end up in prison?
Were you close enough to Purina for the jail to smell like dog food all the time?
When you go to work do you have to prepare yourself mentally to be ready for the day? Vice-Versa, can you leave the work at work and keep home/family separate. I’ve always wondered how Cops and CO’s are able have a safe space at home in spite of the ugliness they deal with at work
Does it feel like you’re in there with them? Like doing time?
What was the grossest experience you encountered as your time being a CO?
Did you ever have a hunch other COs were bringing in contraband for inmates or did you yourself?
If you get hurt on the job do you just file workmens comp like a normal job? Is there anything that if the prison had more resources that could have made it safer?
I’ve always heard the criminals who are in for crimes against children get treated worse. I’ve also heard that it’s not true and most inmates don’t care. Did you ever witness or hear of pedos getting messed up or “used” in your jail?
Also how common is it for someone to be released and then show right back up within a few weeks?
what did you like most about working in a prison?
Ever run into a former inmate outside the prison?
Do the inmates stick to their own race?
Hah, no I was on a date
Is Bubba a myth or is there truth to that kind of legend?
Whose the most famous criminal you’ve looked after
Thanks for doing this AMA. Was there anything you learned while working as a correctional officer that surprised you? Why would a CO bring drugs in for inmates? What are you doing now for work?
The inmates may not be book ‘smart’ but damn they are street and people smart. They can pick out a potential weakness and will try and exploit the hell out of it. Most inmates are type A strong personalities.
CO’s do it for $$$ (remember I likely qualified for food stamps on the terrible salary) and they got leveraged by the inmates taking advantage of them.
I’m in a completely different industry. Nothing to do with law enforcement.
Can you tell us about Ted Kaczynski?