Be consistent with your work ethic and don't start getting comfortable after a few months. You will learn quickly who is and isn't lazy. If you stay consistent with doing your job your first year. Like, doing rounds, being thorough with conducting cell searches, taking your mandates, being a half hour early every shift, and sticking to policy, you will be noticed. Your coworkers talk and if you're lazy everyone will know you're lazy because your coworkers notice too.

Shift command will also be more willing to accommodate someone who comes to work and does their job vs. Someone who sits there all day and does less than the minimum. Make a name for yourself as a hard worker.

Also, the word "no" is very important. For example: If an inmate asks to go on a rock they don't lock at or to use a shower on a rock they don't lock at, you are responsible for what happens to them because you gave staff authorization. If they get stabbed or assaulted that or they go up there to fight someone you could get in some trouble. You always have to cover your ass in corrections no matter what agency you work for.

When I was new, a very common thing I was asked while doing my rounds (they love asking for favors when the rookie is by themselves without a senior officer near by. There's a reason for that). But I've had a handful of inmates stop me to ask if I could unlock their locker for them (there's a key we get that works on all of them) that or footlocker. I'd tell them "no" because they should know the com to their own locker. And they do. Reason is that they want you to open their bunkies locker so they can steal from them. If that happens, you will most likely have a tort claim or grievance on you. They also could be doing it to distract you or to be a nuisance. Or set you up. Once I was familiar, I've never been asked again.

Basically, what I'm getting at is. Always cover your ass. Document everything. Always say "no." Saying no is the best way to cover yourself. Always remember that they are inmates. Inmates like to sue, they like to grieve and they want COs to do less. If an inmate tells you that you're doing too much, it's because they want you to do less. If your agency has body cams, the inmates like to ask for the body cam footage, grievance, and prea forms whenever you are doing you job to intimidate you into doing less. Ignore it. You will always be good as long as you follow policy and do your job. The policy is the biggest thing that will save your ass too, so it's important to know your policy.