8 Hours at the Big House as a Correctional Officer

Combat boots, BDU's, undershirt, uniform shirt, duty belt flashlight, handcuffs. Yes, we are ready to go. Concrete, steel ,gray, dark and damp. Doors slamming, men yelling the smell of feet , sweat and flatulence is an olfactory overload. Outside there are 25 foot fences with rows of razor wire at the top. You can't go through it, can't go over it and you can't go under it. Welcome to State Prison.

Come in through the check points. Sometimes you get searched but more often than not it is a brief hi how are you doing. Report to the Captain and recieve your assignment. We all have a regular post but to be honest in the 2 years that I have been with the department I have never worked my assigned post. I change every day. On this day I am assigned to a dormitory. D "delta" dorm to be precise.