Question for CDCR Guards

[Petro6golf]

I am in backgrounds with the CDCR. I put on my wishlist for anywhere thats Commuteable from sacramento along with Pelican Bay and Susanville.

I heard from some of the guys when I was testing that they are sending alot of people to pelican bay and susanville. I was wondering what the area is like in regards to susanville and pelican bay. I know susanville is desert and pelican bay is the forrest, I was wondering more along the lines of quality of life, stuff to do, property etc etc....

Anyone know about the working conditions in susanville and pelican bay? I know pelican bay is a supermax but I dont know much about susanville.

How about the CDCR? pros, cons (no pun intended),

any help would be great. thanks

[RollingCode3]

I am surprised CDCR still hiring in this crappy economy.

* Background process with CDCR is longggggggg... the waiting game.. tic toc..tic toc..
* Watch your six
* You are behind the wall like everyone else
* It is much easier to deal with scumbags/inmates than with your co-works and admins.

[Petro6golf]

Yeah I know, I applied in like October 2010, took the written, waited a few months, took the physical, they said they didnt like my vision eventhough I passed the test, had to go to the doc, they had to approve it, came back when it was approved then the guy that had my paperwork got layed off, they had to find the paperwork, took the pt test again and submitted my packed. my guess is I will get hired around 2040.

Took a behind the scenes tour of san quentin. kinda scary place. Just curious about the working conditions and living conditions of upnorth and the dept in general

[retired]

To the OP, I tip my hat to you for being willing to work in the prison system. When I hired on the Sheriff's Dept. in the mid 1970s, I had to work the jail and did so for 4yrs.

Back then, 99.9% of the inmates just wanted to finish their case (s) and either go home or begin their time in state prison. Yes, there were attacks on staff, but they were not that often because they didn't want to pick up another case.

The people you will deal with in the prison system may have 100yrs. or multiple life sentences. If they decide to injure or kill a CO, there really isn't a significant punishment that can be meted out. Another life sentence is nothing.

After taking a tour of Chino Prison when I was on for 3yrs., I decided I couldn't be paid enough to work the prisons. As it is, I almost was attacked as an inmate recognized me from the jail and he and his friends tried to get me.

As I said, I tip my hat to you if you work in those hell holes. Good luck.

[jksupplyco]

CDCR is a great place to work, despite the poor public perception that we have. In regards to increased numbers going to Pelican Bay or Susanville, I can tell you on good authority, that there is no more than usual being directed to those institutions, however, because both of those locations are far removed from urban areas, the staffing needs at those locations are typically higher.

As far as a run-down on the geographic areas, both are beautiful areas to live in. It really comes down to how you personally adapt to the rural lifestyle. I grew up in Susanville, and coming from a hunting and fishing background, it was a dream to grow up there. If you are used to urban life, you are in for a culture shock. Crescent City and Susanville are both small towns, without the ammenities of larger cities, but both are large enough to accomodate the necessities. Susanville is located in a "high desert" type locale, with half of the area in a typical high desert setting, and half of the area in the dense forest of lassen and plumas counties. The climate is certainly something to consider, its cold in the winter, and they get a fair amount of snow. The summers are somewhat mild, but temperatures get up into the high 90s. Pelican Bay is picturesque, being situated on the Northern Ca coast, but it rains there. A lot. Like really, a lot. there are certain advantages that Officers assigned to PBSP have, like living in Oregon, where the gun laws are far more liberal than Ca. If it wasn't for the rain (a lot of rain, if I didnt say that already) it would have been one of the joints I hit during my career.

Now, lets talk about the prisons themselves. I know people that work at all 3, Pelican Bay, and the 2 located in Susanville, and you can't go wrong with either setting. Especially PBSP or High Desert State Prison, which are both maximum security Level 4 institutions. I started at a Level 4, and wouldnt trade the experience for anything I've done in my career. The staff comraderie will be much much higher when you are immersed in a potentially dangerous environment, because despite personal differences that may exist between two people, for 8 hours, you are each others lifeline. Its amazing the bonds that are created between people when you depend on them to protect your life.

Hopefully things go well with your background, and good luck with your career. Its a good time to get into the profession, as our Department is more progressive than its ever been in terms of policies and training. Don't buy into the "knuckle-dragging guard" mentality, we are a group of professionals, proud to call ourselves Correctional Officers.

[SedaDog1]

Those are some great coments JK. To the OP your tour of SQ while important will be somewhat misleading. SQ was built in 1852 and looks NOTHING like the two joints you have inquired about. Nor do they have the type of inmates that those joints have, excluding "Condemned Row" of course. The biggest differences are bars instead of doors, free movement for inmates, and a completely different culture amongst staff as well as inmates. It is a great career but expect to take your lumps until you get some time in. The pay is not good in the beginning. Having a bad senioroty number is no fun either. However in 20 to 30 years you will enjoy a nice retirement and it will all be worth it. Just try to think of the long term benefits.

[RangemasterP226]

I'm not an employee of CDC, but I know one thing. Don't call'em guards, they're Correctional Officers.

[Petro6golf]

Thanks for the imput guys. Really appreciate it

[BigDogatPlay]

Not CDCR but a North Coast native, so on the geography there is nothing wrong with the Pelican Bay area. It's beautiful country, a tad chilly and wet at times, rural and there is real estate to be had at a decent price.

[Petro6golf]

bump

[cope113]

Good luck on the BI im currently 81 days into mine.

[pointman1531]

I have nothing but respect for the CDC guys. They do walk the "toughest beat" in the State. What's even more, CCPOA is probably one of the stongest union group out there. Very influential and makes their point come across. In these economic times, getting a stable job in law enforcement is a blessing considering some cities have proposed laying off cops & firefighters.

An old FTO told me this, "Son, when you go up to a versateller. Its not going to ask you how many arrests you made or how many cites you issue out. Its just going to spit out $20 bills." Are you picking up what I'm laying down???

Best of luck to you!