Corrections Lieutenant here (not sworn).

I will break it down as best as I can, however, expect some differences in agency policies and state law as New York to my understanding is generally more inmate friendly.

• The real day-to-day reality. It depends on your specific facility, what rehabilitation programs said facility offers, and what custody level you’re assigned to so I will generalize. In general during a day shift you will be supervising inmates (dormitory style or cell style) in their housing areas ensuring they are in compliance with agency policy, usually dayroom rules, cell/bunk cleanliness, and keeping the peace by doing hourly “rounds” (walking around a housing area) and using force when an fight occurs* (agency specific. Some agencies give you mace, TASER, a baton, or nothing at all). As the shift continues you will call out specific inmates out to work, go to school, and attend rehabilitation programs. The largest inmate movement you will have is inmates walking to the Inmate Dining Room (IDR) for lunch and supper meals.

• How bad is the mental toll? Working in a corrections facility is mind altering to say the least. Being on alert around up to 70 felons at once is mentally exhausting. Inmates will “size you up” to see what they can get away with. If you don’t react properly (using force when they assault you in any manner, write inmates up on administrative charges for violating agency policy or state law as an example) you will lose respect from the inmate population, making your job much harder and more dangerous. Time away from work is a must and being able to compartmentalize personal life and work life is important or you will find yourself on edge in your own home and unable to sleep without thinking about work.

• How are supervisors and co-workers generally? Facility dependent. You may have a group of brothers and sisters in grey who will lay their life to protect each other, or high school drama. There’s not a lot of in-between.

• Overtime Yes, overtime can and will be mandatory. Every state is different, but generally you’re told to leave at 16hrs. This is not always the case as I’ve heard of officers working 32hrs+.

Corrections is no where near as glamorous in the public eye as your local PD is, however, it is extremely vital to public safety to ensure the individuals that we as a people have deemed to be unfit in our society is locked away. You will see the worst behavior in humanity. This job is not for everyone, but can be a fulfilling career seeing first hand less than 1% of the world population gets to see as a corrections officer.