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MA Corrections Career?

(Click here to view the original thread on the MassCops Message Board)

Posted by: RedWaterMan

I've frequently heard that a good way in to law enforcement is through corrections, is this true?

I read the post for NH and it seems to say that Mass does have a good system and it's a good idea to get into it. Should I take the upcoming exam and aggressively pursue the job? Any important pluses or minuses?


Posted by: KozmoKramer

RED - Read through some of the past threads in the Corrections Forum.
There are literally hundreds of posts that you can use to help make a decision about the MA DOC.
Pay special attention to those posts replied to by JGH_7223, Gatekeeper, Barbrady, and SGT_GRUNT_USMC.
They are our resident Corrections experts and have posted tons of useful information about the profession in Massachusetts.

Good luck!


Posted by: mechanic

I personally think it's an excellent way to break into LE.I'm taking the exam in March, if I'm lucky enough to get on I will stay at the DOC, too old to move on to anything else, just want a good career with good pay and bennies, and feel good keeping the inmates behind bars away from my children and family.


Posted by: wheelofmisfortune

It depends on what facility you go to. The morale in the dept. is at an all time low and with a recent incident it's gotten worse. This is not a normal law enforcement job. Catering to killers, rapists and junkies does nothing for your law enforcement career. Get a part time cop job and get a normal job. Aids, hep C and MRSA; Everybody's got it and spreading it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by mechanic
I personally think it's an excellent way to break into LE.I'm taking the exam in March, if I'm lucky enough to get on I will stay at the DOC, too old to move on to anything else, just want a good career with good pay and bennies, and feel good keeping the inmates behind bars away from my children and family.



Posted by: mechanic

Quote:
Originally Posted by wheelofmisfortune
It depends on what facility you go to. The morale in the dept. is at an all time low and with a recent incident it's gotten worse. This is not a normal law enforcement job. Catering to killers, rapists and junkies does nothing for your law enforcement career. Get a part time cop job and get a normal job. Aids, hep C and MRSA; Everybody's got it and spreading it.
It's definitely a tough gig, I know people who do it, I've heard horror stories, but I still believe it's not a bad move.The experience and training would be very beneficial if you end up moving on as a police officer, as for being around aids, hep c. etc... cops are also subject to those dangers along with other public servants, maybe not as concentrated in the jails, but it's everywhere unfortunately.


Posted by: WMPERK4

Quote:
Originally Posted by RedWaterMan
I've frequently heard that a good way in to law enforcement is through corrections, is this true?

I read the post for NH and it seems to say that Mass does have a good system and it's a good idea to get into it. Should I take the upcoming exam and aggressively pursue the job? Any important pluses or minuses?

I'm in the academy right now and the OIC of the drill instructors said that most police dept.'s like a person with a corrections background. He said this because CO's have to be able to communicate with people and be able to deal with people using just their minds. Since as a CO in the prisons you only carry keys and I beleive a set of cuffs. Some of the guys already in can correct me on that one.


Posted by: thesarge

Many people use Corrections as a stepping stone to move on to other things in the law enforcement field, and it is a good step. Providing you keep a good track record while working in the field, when it comes to moving on to another law enforcement job, it certainly does not hurt. In the meantime, it can be rewarding as far as stability for a job, and pays well (depending on the department you work for). Massachusetts certainly is a much higher pay scale than NH or ME. In Massachusetts the pay scale maxes out after 7 years, the benefits, and insurance is very good. Overtime is available, depending on the facility you work at, and there are education incentive pay, shift differential pay, 14 paid holidays. You can make a good living. The longer you stay, the higher the pay scale goes. If you decide to make it a career, there are promotional opportunities available within reasonable amounts of time. For correctional officers, you take another civil service test to be promoted to Sergeant and Lieutenant. To become a Captain, it is an appointed position (Sergeants or Lt's can be appointed, although it is more likely Lt's are given first opportunity).

My advice is if you are thinking about pursuing this job, take a few hours and take the exam. You should be taking any exams that you are considering for a position. It is better to have a window of opportunity open than closed. As I mentioned in a previous post, make sure you can pass the physical standards, as they are stringent about people passing. If you miss the mile and a half run by 1 second, they will not pass you. When you apply for the exam, get the standards and make sure you are in shape to pass them. Stay drug free, and clean up any outstanding issues you have (tickets, open court cases, etc).

Quote:
Originally Posted by RedWaterMan
I've frequently heard that a good way in to law enforcement is through corrections, is this true?

I read the post for NH and it seems to say that Mass does have a good system and it's a good idea to get into it. Should I take the upcoming exam and aggressively pursue the job? Any important pluses or minuses?



Posted by: bozco

Quote:
Originally Posted by KozmoKramer
RED - Read through some of the past threads in the Corrections Forum.
There are literally hundreds of posts that you can use to help make a decision about the MA DOC.
Pay special attention to those posts replied to by JGH_7223, Gatekeeper, Barbrady, and SGT_GRUNT_USMC.
They are our resident Corrections experts and have posted tons of useful information about the profession in Massachusetts.

Good luck!
SGT_GRUNT_USMC has a lot of good info too bad he transferred out west to be a DEPUTY SHERIFF in Las Vegas.


Posted by: SGT_GRUNT_USMC

Quote:
Originally Posted by bozco
SGT_GRUNT_USMC has a lot of good info too bad he transferred out west to be a DEPUTY SHERIFF in Las Vegas.
Yeah I''m a "deputy sheriff" just like your a traffic officer with the massachusetts highway patrol.


Posted by: bozco

Quote:
Originally Posted by SGT_GRUNT_USMC
Yeah I''m a "deputy sheriff" just like your a traffic officer with the massachusetts highway patrol.
Hahahahaha..........good to see you haven't lost your sense of humor. I had to log on to this site just to post that. I couldn't resist. Seriously though be careful out there. Stay away from the fat chow.




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