Tucson az, Federal vs State prison?

Specialties Correctional

Published

Applied for a juvenile detention center job, my question is, adult corrections, anyone have experience at one of these facilities? I work at a local hospital in Tucson have had inmates from the federal pen. The guards have told me to go federal, that alot of state employees are going to federal because a lot of state prison employees are going to federal... and that is "sucks"there. Im tired of the hospital setting, admissions at shift change while you have several other patients you dont know... hospital politics, wiping butts, etc. Ive seen a lot of people say how they love correctional nursing, I am jealous, i want to say I love my job. Only thing holding me back right now is to go from a job i hate and go to a job that is worse......... So stressed right now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Do you love the riot that happened at that federal prison there last week? And as far as 'wiping butts', that's a disturbing comment from a nurse. Also, you work in a hospital, so you are aware of the mass layoffs in Tucson from St. Marys, TMC, etc...as you are looking to work in a ...juvie place? Hmm.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I don't know any nurses but I know an officer that loves his job. He works at a jail so it ends up being a lot of new faces and a few guys and gals sticking around for a while. From what I understand nurses are never alone with an inmate and the inmates are usually kind as they want to get the best care possible. Now it is prison so the people they are going to have (statistically speaking) a higher rate of untreated mental illness and the pure psychos that will just try to make everyone's life hell. The guards are aware of this and those guys come to you with backup. I say try it. Personally I don't think you're disturbing for not wanting to wipe butt. The GI bleed the other night gave me enough wiping for the rest of my life yet interestingly enough I just don't mind it. Actually its the smell of horrible bad breath that gets me. I am huge on oral care.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My cousin is a co for California and he says most of the inmates are very respectful to healthcare personnel. I just hope someone on here has worked for one of the institutions and can tell me what it is like. I'm ready for a change

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have worked in a BOP contracted facility for two years and I really enjoy it. Of course like any job it has its pro's and con's but I can honestly say most of the con's have nothing to do with working with the inmates. I have never been disrespected by any inmate or felt threaten. If you treat them with respect they will treat you with respect. I have never worked in a hospital so I cant compare the two, but all and all its been a great job.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have worked at one of the facilities in Tucson you are curious about and know nurses who work at the others. Correctional nursing is definitely a change. I feel good about the work I have done. From my experience and knowledge, I would highly recommend the Federal Bureau of Prisons off of Wilmot. Unfortunately, I do not feel at liberty to give my reasons for this. Best of luck to you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rehab corrections med-surg.

I worked at bop Tucson. There are politics and issues. No one lasts long there

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I worked at bop Tucson. There are politics and issues. No one lasts long there

That is unfortunate. I had heard better. Would you mind expanding on the issues or your experiences there? I don't like giving misinformation.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Rehab corrections med-surg.

That is unfortunate. I had heard better. Would you mind expanding on the issues or your experiences there? I don't like giving misinformation.

There were many disgruntled nurses and officers. Plus after 6 months the region director decided I was making too much and wanted to reapply to my own job at a lesser pay grade. I had already taken a pay cut from medical facility to work there and HR had tried to match my base pay (no weekend or shift diff just hourly rate on pay stubs) to get the pay rate. There were issues with too much mandated OT and issues with some correctional personnel. People either love it or hate. But nurses do not usually stay over a year there. I would prefer the county facilities which do treat you better and feel safer.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
There were many disgruntled nurses and officers. Plus after 6 months the region director decided I was making too much and wanted to reapply to my own job at a lesser pay grade. I had already taken a pay cut from medical facility to work there and HR had tried to match my base pay (no weekend or shift diff just hourly rate on pay stubs) to get the pay rate. There were issues with too much mandated OT and issues with some correctional personnel. People either love it or hate. But nurses do not usually stay over a year there. I would prefer the county facilities which do treat you better and feel safer.

Thank you for the information. It will be helpful should I decide to reenter the correctional arena in nursing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

I would definitely go for the federal facility vs the Arizona Department of Corrections.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment