medical assistant

correctional officer

sergeant

entry level data analyst

Illinois Department Of Corrections

Not all facilities are the same throughout the state, as far as work culture and environment goes, but at Vandalia there is a lot of favoritism and nepotism that goes on. It's a small town with a very "good ol boy mentality". Many of the officers and other employees already know each other from outside of work, so it makes for a very highschool like environment and popularity contest. If you try to do too much, like getting training or geting selected for a team like Hostage Negotiations, rumors with be will probably be started about you because people aren't able to accept that you just might have been the best pick for a position. Seniority counts for way too much when it comes to promotions, so many of the sergeants and lieutenants aren't qualified for their roles, which has a severe trickle down effect on the officers and employees that work under them. It also makes for a much more difficult work environment because many of the people in positions of power don't know how to properly interact with people in general, much less the inmate population. Situations are often escalated that could have otherwise been deescalated simple because the person calling the shots isn't qualified to call any shots, much less in situations that could quite literally mean the difference between life and death. This type of work will also effect you personally. It will. It does everybody if you do it long enough. The benefits and pay were great. There are opportunities for growth, despite the difficulties I mentioned above. It's definitely not a job for the weak at mind. You can make a career out this job. Very much so. I met a lot of great people along the way. But it's not for everybody. 

been in Pontiac Correctional Center for 16 years.

First off, the place is old, smells of human feces most times and you get the climate extremes.  Hot and Humid in summer and hot or Cold in winter(remember this place is Really old and uses boiler/steam radiant heating system)

Second.  It's a prison, you will be dealing with the worst cases of human depravity as well as hopelessness.  also do not forget the majority influences the minority, so you will become callus to say the least.

Finally.  this whole department is political so forget it making sense.  9 times out of 10.  Your front line management are petty towards the front line staff(they honestly act like royalty), but don't let that anger you, you should feel pity for them.  for behind the scenes they are the "scapegoats" for all the other tiers of management.  and how they treat front line staff, which is horrible, it pales in comparison to how they are treated by the upper echelons.  Management does not care about your safety, I will say it again, Management Does NOT care about your safety.  they care about politics and politics alone. 

I hope this helps you, and you may think I am biased.  come work with me and find out.  you'll regret you did.

Working in Corrections is very unique in that every day is different, especially when I became a Parole Agent. A Parole Agent typically has a caseload of over hundred parolees, both men and women. It is a challenging job in that you are responsible for over seeing the parolee's adjustment to life outside of prison whihc most are repeat offenders. 

A agent is constantly given updated training such as case management, interpersonal communication, substance abuse training, fire arms training, self defense and a number of other training sessions related to the job. the training is top notch and is also beneficial in your daily personal life. 

A parole agent is normally in the field most of his or her's working day and is seldom in the assigned parole office, unless for meetings. 

There is no hardest part of the job as a agent, each day is and can be totally different from the day before.

I personally loved being a agent and enjoyed the job everyday. I met numerous people with various agencies that provided help and services for the parolees. I form lasting relationships during my career and to this day still miss the job.

The money/benefits were very good.  A typical day at work was walking around supervising inmates ensuring security procedures were being followed. Many times I found myself responding to fights to take control of the situation and handcuff the inmate/inmates and escort them to confinement. Some of the management was lazy and some management were awesome, I actually became best friends with one of my supervisors and most of them were very good people to work for. Most of my co workers were very good to work with.  They were like a family instead of just co workers at a regular job.  When you have a dangerous and high stressful job you become closer to those who work with you. Hardest part of the job was accepting the discipline to the inmates.  It seems inmates were always getting away with way too much and not being punishes properly. The most enjoyable part of my job was going to work everyday knowing that I was doing a good thing for the community by watching over criminals and putting my safety at risk knowing that the public were safer in their beds at night.

I am responsible for keeping track of a total of approximately 200 correctional officers benefit time. It is also my responsibility to process and update medical days off, family medical leave, holiday and vacation hours. Provide and update on a daily basis the amount of time utilized by officers. Input this information in the IMACS system for supervisor weekly meetings. Provide supervisor with detailed reports of incidents or grievances issued by officers and detainees. Handle all incoming mail and distribute it accordingly. Type various correspondence for supervisor. Fax documents to various departments. Calculate time on payrolls. Maintain and order supplies. File correspondence. Handle incoming calls from officers and others as it relates to detainees. Schedule in service training letters. Type welcome letters to new officers.

A typical day inside the jail can be stressful at times because of all the negative attitudes you come in contact with through out the day. Your dealing with prisoners that have mental issues that need to be addressed very professionaly or it can be a long day for you and your supervisors. When it comes to management I feel it wouldn't be as bad if they hired mostly from within the jail itself rather than hiring outside political friends that knows little besides what they have heard from others. I feel you have to understand who and what your employee's deal with. They should trust they are competent enough to handle situations they are hired to deal with, and not try to discipline them to the extreme if things do not go perfectly because in jails things do not go perfect. The most enjoyable part of the job is having open relationships with your fellow partners because they become your extended family you can trust.

The job itself is super easy. You make rounds, make sure your inmates are where they need to be (your kinda screwed if you mess this one up), make sure they are alive, and don’t escape into the free world. The job is nothing like you see on tv anyone can do it . Doesn’t take a special breed of person. Co workers will 9x out of 10 have your back. The minority are usually worse snitches than inmates and will taddle on you just to feel special or get an atta boy. But for the most part I worked with some class act people that I would trust with my life if need be. The pay is great compared to the amount of work you actually do. Benefits are good with the exception of the new tier 2 pension. All in all it can be a career if nothing else a good stepping stone into state employment.

Being a Corrections Specialist for The Department of Corrections is nothing to brag about. Its supposed to be a state job but there are no state benefits, nor state pay. Everyday there are new and different rules being enforced that were not even mentioned of the day before, None of the managers or supervisors ever have an exact answer to any questions you may have, they always beat around the bush. They never tell you when you may be doing a great job, they only address you when there is a problem. There was nothing great about working for this company. The 1 good thing I can say is that no one ever has to worry about losing their job due to lay offs or positions closing because there will always be criminals and there will always be a need for a Corrections Specialist.

A typical day was busy the moment it started by answering phones, questions from offenders, offenders counselors, attorneys, assisting staff to help with their workload.  Researched and answered to all requests from Wardens and my immediate supervisor (Executive II - Record Office).  Continued learning updates in criminal law statues, Administrative Directives and Institutional Directives and Office Procedures.  Management was easy to work with.  Worked with law agencies such as AG's (civil commitments), State's Attorneys, and offices in the court system.  The hardest part was getting Warrants placed and arrange pick-up or quashed prior to offender's day of release.  I enjoyed all of the job.  My supervisor gave me a mouse pad for Christmas that said, "Choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life" - Confucius" because I loved my job.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Great pay and benefits. Many opportunities for advancement. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
All law enforcement jobs are stressful. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
You can make lifelong friendships with your coworkers.  As long as you act like a responsible and respectful adult,  you will do great. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Each department is different.  You might have a security, healthcare, mental health, counseling, dietary, education, or maintenance  position and be around incarcerated individuals every day.  Or, you might have an administrative, training, or clerical position and almost never see incarcerated individuals. However, everyone must be somewhat security minded.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Medical assistant 11 salaries reported	$19.50 per hour
Correctional officer 2 salaries reported	$56,500 per year
Sergeant 1 salary reported	$60,000 per year
Entry level data analyst 1 salary reported	$26.35 per hour

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