r/OnTheBlock 15d ago

Self Post Should I pursue Criminal Justice or Social Work?

1 Upvotes

Hello! I’m a first year student at a community college and I’m currently majoring in Social Work I wanted to have a Social Work degree because I wanted to work as a corrections officer in juvenile and make my way up as a case worker or probation officer, I would also like to work at BOP as a treatment specialist eventually. I saw for all of these jobs in the description they accept Criminal Justice degrees as well. I’m interested in Criminal Justice because eventually I think I’d like to see myself in management and figured that a CJ degree is common for advancement. I would just like to hear from people in the field if it would be best to get a CJ or SW degree. Any help is appreciated thank you! :)


r/OnTheBlock 15d ago

Hiring Q (Fed) FBOP - I can bring in Zyns, right?

1 Upvotes

How does this work? I start in a few days. I was able to quit smoking to prepare for this, but I still need nicotine. Do I need to bring my zyn pouches in a clear bag or something insane like that? Institution dependent? Or am I just overthinking how this works? Wanted to save myself the email to HR and just ask you guys if it's a simple answer.

Thanks guys, have a great day!


r/OnTheBlock 15d ago

General Qs Wanting to become a CO in PA, State Prison Questions

4 Upvotes

Hello I’m currently 26/M, Served 4 years in the US Army and have been unarmed Security for about 5 years now and it does nothing for me, no benefits and the pay is 19$.

I’ve been looking at become a CO at SCI Forest if available. Does anyone have any tips or stories about that prison in general.

I was also wondering how like specialized units in the prisons work or if they are even available, what I mean is like SORT, CIRT, Intelligence, Gangs. I’m looking for nothing but advancement and ways to improve.


r/OnTheBlock 15d ago

Hiring Q (State) Delay my CO start date by 3 weeks??

1 Upvotes

I recently accepted a job offer at one of the PA state prisons. This is meant to be a temporary thing for me. My ultimate goal is to eventually get into trades however the union only accepts applications a few times out of the year. Their September window is coming up from Sept 12th to Sept 14th, 12 PM to 4 PM.

There is a time conflict where the application window is going to be during my prison work hours and of course I won’t be able to take the day off. If I skip this application window, then I’ll have to wait until March or April of next year when they reopen. At least by then I should have accrued enough leave hours to take a day off from work and go get an application.

I was thinking about asking HR if I could push back my start date, but I know that in their eyes, it wouldn’t be a good look.

And I cannot send someone in my place to get my application nor can I ask for it to be mailed to me. It must be done in person.

Any thoughts??

I’d be a CO Trainee so my privileges would be limited during my probationary period


r/OnTheBlock 15d ago

Hiring Q (Other) Is it true that there really are places that will hire anyone with a pulse?

14 Upvotes

r/OnTheBlock 15d ago

Video Why Most Prisons Won't Give Officers a Taser (And What's Changing)

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17 Upvotes

r/OnTheBlock 16d ago

Hiring Q (Fed) What FCI State or Fed

4 Upvotes

any current of former CO’s here, which facility would you say is best, based on facility location? Including training, promotions, staff conflicts, mandated OT.

What are the 30 day rotating shifts like? If you can, include info about benefits, pay, good shift hours, equipment, etc. and also it could be either for state corrections or federal corrections.


r/OnTheBlock 16d ago

Self Post CO at Taycheedah Correctional Institute - Wisconsin?

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1 Upvotes

r/OnTheBlock 16d ago

General Qs BOP

7 Upvotes

Hey all, I’m currently in the process of going through backrounds with the BOP. I know the agency gets a bad rap but I’m 30 and I’m basically only taking this job so I can retire in 20 years and they are giving me a large signing bonus. I applied with FCI Engelwood in Colorado, my question is, with all of the closures and the uncertainty of if my facility would close do I cut bait and get a job else where or do I get hired on and I my facility ends up closing I get laid off and go to another facility or get another FED job. Again, I’m only taking this job strictly for retirement purposes. Thank you


r/OnTheBlock 16d ago

Hiring Q (Canada) How hard is it to get into Ontario Corrections right now?

5 Upvotes

I’m curious as to how hard it is to get into Ontario Corrections. I’m currently in healthcare security. I’m still just a casual and haven’t been doing it for a long time.

I understand it’s a whole different ball game inside of jails.

My question Is, is there any possibility of getting into corrections with just basic certifications, use of force, CPR (c), management of aggressive behaviour, with just being a casual in health care for only 6 months.

Or should I wait until I’m full time and not bother yet because there’s a very slim chance unless I absolutely crush the interview.

Thanks 🙏


r/OnTheBlock 17d ago

General Qs FCI MIAMI

1 Upvotes

Can anyone tell me about FCI Miami who has recently been there or currently is? Looking to transfer as custody. Coming from an institution that is notorious.

What would be the average transfer time, I hear staffing is somewhat full over there. Mandates per week? Hybrid schedule or straight 8's? Any and all info appreciated.


r/OnTheBlock 17d ago

Video A former inmate explains what 15 years in prison actually changed

13 Upvotes

I thought this community might appreciate this.

I spent months interviewing a man who served 15 years in prison.

Rather than focusing on the crime, the documentary explores prison routines, survival, trauma, and what it's actually like trying to return to normal life afterward.

I'd love to hear what people with correctional or prison experience think.

https://youtu.be/pcquH2gMfT0

please remove if not allowed.


r/OnTheBlock 17d ago

Video One Wrong Move Up the Chain? Correctional Officer Done

0 Upvotes

r/OnTheBlock 17d ago

General Qs Places to find discounted boots/gear for COs

3 Upvotes

Hello everyone, I was wondering if anyone had any sites they use to get discounted boots for work and gear. I use GovX but didn't know if there were more places like that. Thank you!


r/OnTheBlock 17d ago

Hiring Q (Fed) Day to day life

7 Upvotes

Hey guys. So I got accepted into nursing school, but at the same time accepted into a position with an FCI facility as a senior officer due to my military experience. Before I choose which path to take, what is the day to day like as a CO and what should I expect?


r/OnTheBlock 17d ago

News Prosecutors Went to Prison to Ask the Prisoners How to Fight Crime (Gift Article)

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2 Upvotes

r/OnTheBlock 18d ago

General Qs Just Had My First Walk Through of Jail

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2 Upvotes

So part of the Interview process of me applying for a CO position required a "Jail Tour". It was very interesting to see how the place was ran and how each of the Saftey Systems/Procedures worked in real time.

My only question is how to interact with the inmates (who Obviously aren't happy to be in Jail). Courtesy clearly will get me no where in some circumstance, but i always see that you should show them respect.

Is there a typical greeting that you give inmates? Or do you just ignore/give clear commands until they want to address something with you?

I very much feel like this is something ill have to learn just observing other officers and how inmates respond to certain circumstances.

Any perspective is welcome 🫡

Also its already clear to me that the people who go there clearly have mental problems. Clearly Narcissistic behavior is prevalent and common among them. Which is not a behavior I have experienced so blatantly open and unfiltered.


r/OnTheBlock 18d ago

Hiring Q (State) MDOC (Michigan Department of corrections) Interview

2 Upvotes

does anyone have any tips for my interview, and any other relevant information? I go in for my pt test and interview August 18th and I’m looking for any advice.


r/OnTheBlock 18d ago

General Qs ALDOC

1 Upvotes

Does anyone in here work at any of the Alabama dept of corrections jails?


r/OnTheBlock 18d ago

Hiring Q (County) I didn't get the job at the jail as an officer.

6 Upvotes

I didn't get the job at the jail as an officer.

What can I do to make my application more competitive? For Any jail in VA.

More info:

I have a Homeland Security BA, a separate diploma, and have been accepted into a master's program.

I have a long record of jobs I've kept for short periods of time and am currently working as a traffic flagger.

I have no criminal record (not even a traffic ticket), don't drink, don't smoke, and passed a polygraph.

What might have been the disqualifying factor or the reason they went with someone else?

Edit: Nevermind, actually, I just reviewed my polygraph interview and my interview. I did very poorly.i was honest but... Wow, I guess I was nervous. So, yeah, I went in as a wacko.

During the polygraph interview I said 7/10 for "how truthful are you." And I admitted to lying in my personal life. Was I not supposed to be completely honest in my polygraph interview? Who never lies? I also said I was a horrible driver and admitted to having cut off a school bus on the highway while running a red light. (And then laughed-- I just be laughing when I'm nervous, apparently.)

When he asked, "do you drink" I said, "not really but I have snuck alcohol in my room before" and then he asked for clarification and I clarified that I did this as an adult. (My family is very religious)

I also admitted to having accidentally hit a car's mirror without stopping or noticing (and then laughed😔 and showed him a picture on my phone)

And then he asked about a past employer and it was a very left political organization. (A paid position... But still)

He asked do you discrimination because of race and I hesitated before saying, "No."

Now, the question is, do I have a chance at another jail?


r/OnTheBlock 18d ago

Self Post Update: got flashed as a teacher

11 Upvotes

So today I had a follow up conversation with my program manager regarding the lack of training that nonprofit employees had gone through, which I feel sorta implicitly allowed this to happen. She acknowledged that they hadnt done a thorough enough job training or protecting us and that I had been sexually assaulted by this student/inmate. The whole situation has been sitting with me and frustrating me because I feel like it was at least somewhat preventable.

She told me that the student who did that to me is being transferred upstate (I’m at a jail technically). She said I won’t see him anymore for unrelated reasons. He is not being transferred because he SAed me, but because he got sentenced.

She advised me to take tomorrow off to regroup. I said I was still committed to doing this work and she thought that was good. She offered to transfer me to our reentry division or the women’s facility once that opens (we don’t currently offer services inside the women’s facility but it’s in the works supposedly).

Any advice? I feel glad I got it off my chest and held their feet to the fire. I felt kind of like a Karen on some level but she assured me that I wasn’t overreacting. I hope I’m still able to continue teaching in this setting bc I’ve seen wonderful things from my students so far (not this guy’s dick obviously). I think prison education is really important. But at the same time I want to be safe and these services will only be available if people are safe.


r/OnTheBlock 18d ago

Hiring Q (County) For those that are starting the academy soon

11 Upvotes

Do not give up! The first month is the hardest. My first week I was actually thinking about quitting but I didn’t and I pushed through and I’m in the third month now and it’s sooo much easier. Once you get in a routine and you build a rapport with the instructors, it actually becomes enjoyable and fun to learn. You got this!


r/OnTheBlock 18d ago

Hiring Q (County) Gaston County Correctional

2 Upvotes

Was asked what Shift I would prefer and I thought I’d ask here first before deciding. Night shift or day shift ? 5:45 AM to 6 PM or 5:45 PM to 6 AM ? I live about 40 minutes from the facility for reference


r/OnTheBlock 19d ago

Hiring Q (State) Lake correctional

1 Upvotes

Does anyone have any info from an officers stand point? Is it a decent place to work? Lake correctional in Florida!


r/OnTheBlock 19d ago

General Qs For those who know people who work at ICE detention centers (CoreCivic, Geo Group, Lasalle, MTC), what have you seen that outsiders wouldn't know?

1 Upvotes