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How to survive your first year as a correctional officer

From dealing with hostile co-workers to avoiding manipulative inmates, new correctional officers face many challenges during their first few months on the job

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Follow these career survival tips to ensure you successfully complete your first year as a correctional officer.

Additional resources on career survival

How to survive inmate tests on your first day on the job

5 tips to survive your first day working in corrections

Where should a rookie CO be on their first day?

How to have confidence on the job as a rookie

7 mistakes that rookie correctional officers consistently make

Veterans weigh in: 5 rules rookie COs should live by

5 challenges that blindside rookie COs

4 types of policies rookies should pay close attention to

Gary York, author of “Corruption Behind Bars” and “Inside The Inner Circle,” served in the United States Army from 1978 to 1987 and was honorably discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant from the Military Police Corps. U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Gary York completed the 7th Army Non-Commissioned Officers Leadership Academy with a 96.6% in the Train to Train method of instruction. Gary received the Army Commendation Medal and Soldier of the Quarter Award while serving. Gary was a Military Police shift supervisor for five years.



Gary then began a career with the Department of Corrections as a correctional officer. Gary was promoted to probation officer, senior probation officer and senior prison inspector where for the next 12 years he conducted criminal, civil and administrative investigations in many state prisons. Gary was also assigned to the Inspector General Drug Interdiction Team conducting searches of staff and visitors entering the prisons for contraband during weekend prison visitation. Gary also received the Correctional Probation Officer Leadership Award for the Region V, Tampa, Florida, Correctional Probation and he won the Outstanding Merit Award for leadership in the Region V Correctional Officer awards Tampa, Florida.