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D.O.C. Location Preferences

2997 Views 20 Replies 12 Participants Last post by  DVET1979, 
D
Hi everyone, I recently got my notice to appear for the March 19th exam. I also got a location preference sheet-similar to the police or fire test except it had different D.O.C. locations on it. I was wondering how many choices I get and if I am hired they will only send me to a location I chose? I'd appreciate any feedback on the situation.
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KozmoKramer
Good question!
Also, guys what are the good locations and which are the shitty duties?

In your opinions, what are the top 3 and why and which are considered the "Last Place I'd Want to Work" locations. Thanks!
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C
DVET1979";p="58530 said:
Hi everyone, I recently got my notice to appear for the March 19th exam. I also got a location preference sheet-similar to the police or fire test except it had different D.O.C. locations on it. I was wondering how many choices I get and if I am hired they will only send me to a location I chose? I'd appreciate any feedback on the situation.
Click to expand...
Good question!
Also, guys what are the good locations and which are the shitty duties?

In your opinions, what are the top 3 and why and which are considered the "Last Place I'd Want to Work" locations. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Souza Barnowinski should probably go last. I heard stories from my CJ professor about that place but remember that you might get placed anywhere. I chose Boston's pre release center as #1 just becuase I'd like to get settled with an apartment and reliable vehicle before I travel long distances. There's a sheet on the HRD website that you fill out. you have space for 10 choices and there's 8 or 9 sites you can choose.
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Barbrady
The DOC tries to accomodate you the best they can based on your home of record. I've never heard of any one going to the Pre-Release from the Academy, you are more likely to get Lemuel-Shattuck Hospital in Jamaica Plain. The beauty about a new academy class coming in, is that guys with some time in get to transfer to other institutions based off the transfer list. And the new officers go everywhere else. But, like I said they try their best to get you close to home. SBCC is not a bad place to work, from what I hear the guys are tight and with little time in you can get you a decent shift and days off. Because keep in mind you may start off on average with a 3-11 tues wed days off. You certainly will not touch weekends off for years to come. These are my top 3 and this is based off the amount of people on their transfer list: 1. MCI-Plymouth 2. MCI-Norfolk 3. Boston Pre-Release
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If they base my employment location off of where I live, Its either the Shattuck Hospital or Wally World here I come!!!
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B
Okay listen up. You will go where the DOC sends you. If you live down the cape they will send you to the shirley complex. If you live in worcester you will go to walpole. I am only saying this because that sheet means nothing absolutely nothing. SBCC and walpole have gotten the most in the past two classes. So with this I have no idea where you guys will go. We usually have an idea but this one is a tough call. I will give some adice. These are the likely destinations for you guys.

SBCC,Walpole,Norfolk,shir med,old colony,Framingham. I would expect one of these six bridgewater is pretty full.

This is just my opinion or professional opinion any questions just ask
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Irishpride
Bear in mind though that you are not told where you will work toward the end of the academy. I know a guy who lived in Taunton and got Shirley. He had a two hour commute (each way) and was told to put in for a hardship transfer (he was told that he should expect to be there at least a year). Long story short DOC will try to accommodate your location to your residence, but there are no promises and if you are not prepared for the worst case scenario (i.e. the DOC facility furthest from where you live) I would think real hard about taking the job.
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S
FWIW I recently ran into a guy I used to be in the Guard with. He now works at Shirley, lives less than four miles away where he has always lived. He said they "just put him there", he has no political connections and no family in law enforcement, just luck I guess. So it does happen.
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E
You most likely will go to Walpole or SBCC. Those are the 2 institutions that most people want to transfer out of. Most people want to transfer out of SBCC because of the commute and as for Walpole-- you will see when you get there. But don't get me wrong, Walpole is the best place to start.
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J
It used to be you would select all. But I have heard that they try to accommodate to location on where you live. I heard of a couple of officers from the last class that traval over a hour. As far as where you work it most likely will not be Boston Pre-release there is no movement, Plymouth you have officers displaced at the closing of SECC working at SBCC that will take jobs there or anything on the Bridgewater Complex.So if you live in that area prepare to travel. You will probably go in this order Walpole, SBCC,Shirley, Concord, Norfolk and Gardner. I would keep in mind that you will probably work levels 4 (Med),6(Max) and don't even think of minimum assignments at least for a while. Good luck and maybe we will meet inside the walls. Take care.JGH
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W
GOTO THE BUGHOUSE IN BRIDGEWATER. A VERY GOOD PLACE TO WORK DESPITE WHAT YOU MAY HEAR FROM COs THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN THERE.
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J
To add if your female most likely Framingham.
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KozmoKramer
Excellent posts guys, thank you very much!!
I'm screwed no matter where I get assigned.

From MAPQUEST:
SHIRLEY:
Total Est. Time: 1 hour, 17 minutes Total Est. Distance: 71.26 miles
WALPOLE:
Total Est. Time: 1 hour, 35 minutes Total Est. Distance: 91.03 miles :HS: :up: :wm:
CONCORD:
Total Est. Time: 1 hour, 13 minutes Total Est. Distance: 68.05 miles

One thing is for certain;
By the time cards get sent out,
those of us that are fortunate enough to become applicants
will be very well prepared.. You DOC Guys have been superb! :thumbup:
Thanks again! (And Keep The Posts Coming!)
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G
All new hires will back fill people wanting out of their current prison or be sent to where no one wants to go. Looking at the transfer list from HRD, most will be sent to Walpole, Concord and may be Shirley MED and SBCC. If you're a female, plan on going to Framingham. Forget about going to any Min or pre-release. There are a lot of prisons in desperate need of bodies.

Transfers will have first choice, new hires second. Looking at the list that wants out of Walpole, plan on going there. It is a shit hole, hence why many want out. But it's a good place to start and learn the job, find out whether you like it or not.

Forget about anything on the Bridgewater complex. As JGH7223 said, with the closing of the SECC prison, about 450 officers got sent all around that area and away who want back.

My opinion, worst places to go: 1- Walpole. 2- Framingham. 3- SBCC.
Best places to be at: anywhere other then above!

Good luck to all.
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D
I may be ignorant on the subject, but I work with a former C.O. (a female) who worked at Framingham. She says most of the women there are in prison for drugs, writing bad checks to buy drugs, and repeat small time offenders(usually having to do with drugs.) She also said, contrary to what many believe, that a very significant # of C.O.'s at Framingham are male. I am not saying that people are wrong, but what could be so bad about working at Framingham and why does everyone put it down so much? (other than its only a 20-30 minute drive from my house)
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Barbrady
I know of several male officers that transferred to MCI-Framingham. They absolutely love it. Well, they love their shift and days off. You can go there and get a decent shift and days off with little time in.
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KozmoKramer
Barbrady";p="58657 said:
I know of several male officers that transferred to MCI-Framingham.
They absolutely love it. Well, they love their shift and days off.
You can go there and get a decent shift and days off with little time in.
Click to expand...
The DOC Website lists the number of female inmates as 556.
Divide that by 4.2 and that translates to 132 already miserable, felony incarcerated broads on the rag - simultaneously.
(I'll take the sanity of CJ thank you very much.) :mrgreen:
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P
A couple of people mentioned the Shattuck. Although, I haven't been a regular there in about a year, when I spent nearly every day there, I can't recall ever seeing someone right out of the academy working there. Again though, not DOC, just spent alot of time watching my own guys there.
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B
Okay D-vet listen to the sanity. Imagine this. A broad who is in for drugs and has psych issues comes out and says that you grabbed her shit. Guess what you are guilty no matter what you did'nt do guilty!. Everyone will think you are a scumbag. Then you will get NIC-no inmate contact and the investigation will take 4-6 months. you will work in a bubble doing paperwork. Then you will be under the gun. every woman will be accusing you of something. I have worked for the department for six years and I can tell you who liked Framingham. Most of the females liked it. Every man that has worked at that place tells the same sad story. Alot of people won't take promotion at that place because of the issues that you need to deal with. D-vet one thing that I have learned is to listen to people's opinion and then make your own decision. I would not go there it is career suicide.
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KozmoKramer";p="58670 said:
Barbrady";p="58657 said:
I know of several male officers that transferred to MCI-Framingham.
They absolutely love it. Well, they love their shift and days off.
You can go there and get a decent shift and days off with little time in.
Click to expand...
The DOC Website lists the number of female inmates as 556.
Divide that by 4.2 and that translates to 132 already miserable, felony incarcerated broads on the rag - simultaneously.
(I'll take the sanity of CJ thank you very much.) :mrgreen:
Click to expand...
That was a good one Koz...
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