39 yrs old 6’3 280lbs former army national guard medic

I started working in juvenile corrections or treatment is what they call it here in N east PA about 9 yrs ago I started in a dorm type building with a private run facility was pretty great back then except for the low pay but it was a big change from busting my ass in factory jobs

anyway back then we the staff controlled everything 3 staff and 15 residents ages 16 to 20 it was a fun job because we didn’t fight everyday we sat around bullshitting and watching tv, having group discussions and really getting to know these guys and give them advice for the future

2 yrs later I transferred to the bootcamp part of the facility for better working hrs I worked 9pm to 5am so I could watch my kids at home during the daytime , bootcamp was fun but not strict enough in my opinion

3yrs later I go to work at my current job-its a state job but heres where it gets ugly-its run by DPW dept of public welfare so they are very very soft on the residents or inmates—this place was a shock hardcore gangbangers from Philly and the rules were/are very very soft so it is very unsafe and staff get no respect we have had riots and people are out on permanent disability due to various health problems

I work 11p to 7a but for the past 4 yrs I have been very stressed out because we get mandated for 16 hr shifts all the time and my coworkers are spoiled state workers with lots of sick time to burn so they call off—mostly on weekends

we get zero training in self defense we are understaffed so they have been hiring whoever puts their name in with the proper college degree-so thats where it gets even uglier-they higher young 21 yr old college kids skinny little boys and not so skinny girls-the girls fall in love with hotshot Tyrone from Philly and start having sex and bringing in contraband like—wire cutters cell phones drugs etc etc-its only a matter of time till they bring a gun in

so we have no training we have way too many females so when shit hits the fan the big male staff have to handle everything and the females run away

like I said this is called juvenile treatment—we are not given corrections officer training or weapons or pepper spray just a radio to call for help and most of the time nobody can hear the call or they are already working a 16hr shift and too tired and or lazy selfish to come running and help

I need a new job in a bad way I am miserable at work and home—I’ve gained 30lbs in the past 2 yrs from drinking beer

someone is gonna get killed in there

Grumpy , read what you wrote you have become just like the ones you are grumpy about . Its time to get in check or check out.

don’t understand how you can say I am like the coworkers

I show up for work on time,I don’t call off all the time—maybe once every 3 months and even then noone else gets stuck doing a double shift for it

I have experience working with these thugs—I can hold my own in a fight/restraint situation

I follow the rules and don’t give contraband to inmates

explain yourself please

and I’m pretty much stuck where I’m at for the pay and I need 3rd shift so I can watch my kids 8 and 11 when there isn’t school

this area of N east PA only has a hospital ,nursing homes and prisons

I have to been in a similar situation. It is the penjulum of justice it swings from no tolorence to hug a thug, very rarely in between. As a nation we were in a hug a thug period, but with violent crime on the rise and younger perps it is gradually tilting back to nail’em and jail’em. As you said your self PAY AND BENIFITS are perks of a state or gov. job. Ride the waves and make the best. AS LONG AS YOU DO YOUR PART, AND GO HOME SAFE. BEST OF LUCK and GOD bless! (excuse the spelling…. lol)