r/Corrections

Hey everyone,

​I completed the full hiring day process (interview, medical physical, UA, fingerprints, etc.) and received a Conditional Job Offer (CJO) on June 16th, 2026. I submitted my background packet (e-App/SF-85P) two days later, on June 18th.

​For anyone who has gone through the federal/BOP hiring process recently:

​How long did you wait between submitting your background packet and receiving the call/email for your Final Job Offer (FJO)?

​Is it typical to go completely silent for several weeks during background and medical review?

​At what point should I politely reach out to my local HR specialist for a quick status update?

​I appreciate any insight or recent timeline experiences you can share!

Hey everyone, ​I completed the full hiring day process at a BOP facility back on June 16th—did the panel interview, UA, medical physical, fingerprints, CVA, etc. I was given my Conditional Job Offer (CJO) on the spot that same day, with a tentative start date set for November. ​I submitted my background packet (e-App/SF-85P) the very next day, June 17th. ​For those who have gone through the process recently with the Bureau of Prisons: ​How long did you wait between doing on-site processing/background submission and getting the call/email for your Final Job Offer (FJO)? ​With a November tentative start date, when does HR typically issue the FJO and confirm nacademy/onboarding details? ​Is it normal to hear zero updates for a few weeks while the background clearance processes? ​Trying to gauge a realistic timeline based on recent experiences so I know when it makes sense to check in with my HR specialist. ​Thanks in advance for any insights!

They are serving a life sentence at Maine State Prison - I would like to correspond with them. How is this done?

Hello guys, I’ll get my class 5 license by February 2027 and I’m thinking of getting into corrections. I still have 6-7 months with me to gain some experience or skills that can make me an ideal candidate. I have a BA in criminology (from SFU), have 2 year work experience in crisis line, 1 year work experience in McDonald’s, 150+ volunteer hours from Surrey crime prevention society and 100 hours from Efry. I can speak 3 languages other than English and have first aid cpr, non crisis intervention certificate and ubc certificate for indigenous knowlege. What should else should I do to strengthen my application. Where should I volunteer or work to make me shine out during hiring process. Please provide some guidance

I started a local county jail last December. I was looking forward to trying a new form of nursing. I found the place very toxic, some of the RNs were very rude, as well as the medical assistance and support staff. Many didn’t talk to me at all, and no one really welcomed me. I shrugged it off and thought maybe it would change. It never did. We were constantly shortstaffed and so were the CO’s. To the point where I was afraid of something happening. More than once when I was going up to units to see inmates for care, the elevator door would open, and I would walk out, and the Sally ports to the units would be open with inmates in them. I complained more than once, but never heard anything back about it. The last two days I worked there I worked in intake, and it was crazy busy. The second day they actually got another nurse to work in there with me because there was over 40 inmates already in with more coming in the door. There were four COs both days, which seems like not enough. The city I work in is over 1 million people with a lot of drugs and homelessness. I had at least 20 people on detox.
I had put my two weeks notice in the Friday before and at the end of my shift yesterday they came in and said they were accepting my resignation starting immediately and they walked me out. I’m glad I’m gone honestly, but I did not realize that they did that to you after you put in your two weeks.
Does this sound normal to you guys? My training was literally nonexistent and never really understood the jail culture and was never taught. I had to figure things out as I went.

I'm being sentenced to 30 days in jail with work release. (Johnson County, Kansas)

Does anyone know what work release is like? I assume conditions are better than regular 24/7 lockup? I assume a bit more freedom?

I just wanna get my 30 days over and done with, spend my days during the week at work, bring in books to read at night, and watch football Saturdays and Sundays.

Just seeing what your work release experience as been like

Me and my husband have been trying and have been curious when i need to or should tell my captain. When did yall tell yours?

Still no caseworker. Still in danger. Please share. I need help."

So I’m like 3-4 months in and I just missed our meeting for the first time I txted her around 12am. To let her know that I’m sorry I spaced but I would make sure it wouldn’t happen again. But the messages aren’t saying delivered and my calls go straight to voicemail. What’s going to happen.????

Its an in county pick up only M1 agg menacing,(ohio) Hasn't been a big deal because I never go there, unless we do a job there then I'm sweating bullets! But my new job runs your name for all that stuff so it has to be addressed. Ive been to jail a million times I know to prepare for the worst hope for the best I'm just curious if the judge is gonna appreciate me not getting into trouble for 8 years or if he's going to be pissed I ran for 8 years?Haven't ever had a warrant for this long I don't know what to expect and Id really hate to have to set in stinking ass jail for rest of the summer. Anybody dealt with something similar?

I was told I failed contingency and I’m more then welcome to apply to another Institution, my question is why would that stop me from applying back to the same institution, after every officer, sergeant and captain I was training with all really liked me and my work ethic and how I did things, but was told I failed contingency and wasn’t told why, I’m curious if and why that would stop me from applying there?

I am going to pei for ctp-3 in September

Can anyone help with how are dorms what to expect and any tips to surrvive

​Hey everyone, looking for some insight from folks who have made the state-to-federal transition or have experience within the Bureau of Prisons.

I’m currently a Corporal on the CERT team working at the largest maximum-security state facility in my state. We house pretty much every inmate population demographic you can think of, so I’m well-versed in high-custody operations, CERT response, and handling heavy floor stress.

I recently received a conditional offer for FCI Leavenworth as a GL-08 Step 10, complete with a $39k recruitment incentive. Will receive first half after a month or so and the 2nd half after year 2.

​ To be completely honest, Leavenworth isn't my end-game dream facility or location. However, I’m currently stuck in the Midwest and my ultimate goal is to get back home to Texas. My plan right now is to accept the offer, get my foot in the door with the BOP, complete my required time at Leavenworth, and then look to transfer down to FCI Seagoville (or another facility in the DFW/North Texas region) since I have family in that area.

​A few questions for those in the know:

​The Leavenworth Transition: For anyone who has worked Leavenworth recently, what’s the current climate, staffing tempo, and overall environment like compared to max-security state facilities? I went to FCI Leavenworth as month ago and walked through it. Definitely old but new facility is complete and down the road, supposedly just waiting on activation funding?

​Transfer Reality: How realistic and smooth is the transfer process once you're in the BOP system? Is it fairly doable to put in for a lateral transfer to Seagoville after hitting your required time post-incentive payback period?

​Appreciate any advice, realities of the BOP life, or tips on navigating the lateral move. Thanks in advance.

Hello I’m interviewing for a dentist position at a California state prison and suddenly I’m terrified because I don’t know what to expect or how to prepare for the interview! I would appreciate any advice on how to prep for the interview/ thoughts or feedback on your experience if you’ve worked at a prison as a dentist. I’m also applying for federal prisons but that process seems like it’s going to take a while.

Hello everyone! I have been trying to find good boots for work, and keep finding really crappy ones with the exception of the 5.11 ones I have currently. What does everyone recommend? I recently bought a pair of propper boots that are supposed to be in tomorrow and they're going to be my backup pair but what does everyone prefer or recommend?

So I have a night out planned for 8/14, but I plan on being very diligent about following my probation conditions regarding alcohol and drug use. My first probation meeting is this upcoming Wednesday (8/19). For anyone familiar with probation, is that cutting it close in terms of timing, or is there generally enough time between the two?

Hi! So I got hired as a CO and a PO, I would prefer PO but I heard you could get way more overtime hours as a corrections officer and I want all the OT I could get. I'm 23, I live alone with just me my dog and kitten. Probation/Parole get paid more and it's my first choice as I feel it'll be a rewarding job but I also have debt and things I need to catch up on so I want a lot of OT, I also got the bonus for CO. Anyone who've done one or the other or both please share your experiences.

Edit: my ultimate goal is law school, and I think before law school I’ll apply to be a Police officer.