Jail or Prison

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · May 17, 2010

I also work in a state women's facility. I have not worked in a jail, but many of my employees have. One of the main differences is inmate turnover. A state prison has a lot less of it, and you get the chance to become acquainted with more of the inmates. Of course, if you prefer a lot of change in that area, a jail would certainly offer it. Another difference is that many jail medical departments are run by private companies under contract, so you don't have the same degree of security of employment. In the time I have worked for the Department of Corrections, at least four different companies have had the contract for the local county jail.

caliotter3 · May 17, 2010

No experience in this area but I would tend to go with the job that presented the better benefits package for me.

Anne128 · May 21, 2010

Has anyone here worked both county jail and state prison? I would be interested to know the differences. Is the county system more organized and efficient than state processes? How much less is the pay between state and county usually (a little less or significantly less?) Work conditions better or worse in a jail or prison? (safety, cleanliness) Thanks!

Jaila · May 22, 2010

lol...the cleanliness part of your question made me laugh a little. Jail is the dirtiest place I have ever worked! People right in off the streets in poor health that are intox/high peuking and urinating wherever in their holding cells. Lots of open wounds/ abscesses with our drug users....lots of mrsa. Dt'ers doing crazy things. Then you get your injuries, people that have tried to run from the police &/or their dog or been in altercation with someone. Suicidal and mental health cases. We see such a variety of things I couldn't even begin to list them all. But just when you think you have seen it all...you get something new. It is fun and ever changing. Lots of inmate turnover but also lots of frequent flyers that you get to know with time like it or not. Our county jail doesn't use a contract company. We are all county employees with good benefits for medical, dental, life, pension. Hope some of this information is helpful...have fun!

Anne128 · May 22, 2010

Thanks for the reply. The reason I asked about cleanliness is that my brother's friend is a CO in a state prison and he says it's the nastiest, dirtiest place on earth..and it stinks to high heaven. They have inmates being moved to different cells all the time and the cells are rarely cleaned (he says maybe twice a year!). Even though I know jails are filled with a variety of grossness too, I was wondering if at the county jail level where it is smaller, and there is a faster turnaround of inmates, that cleaning procedures are better (or even exist!) ...at least to minimize some of the stink and contamination. Having never worked in a jail or prison, I am trying to find out the differences in both. Neither environment will be shangri-la, but is one a better choice over the other? Are staff assaulted more at the prison or jail level statistically, or equally so? Pay differences from county to state level. State jobs are notorious for mounds of paperwork and forms and inefficient processes, does county function the same way?

Jaila · May 23, 2010

It doesn't sound like we are any cleaner, maybe even dirtier although I have not worked in prison setting only county jail. As far as safety I never doubt my officers ability or desire to keep me safe. I am soooo well protected it's amazing....I mean to even look at me cross eyed will get you flunked in booking. Paperwork is everywhere...literally because where I am at we don't have emr yet so everything by hand and lots of cya paperwork.