Grats to me! I am finally no longer a Cadet! Received a great performance review from my Sgt. and Lieutenant and was officially off Cadet status on November 1st! Not only does this mean a raise (although a small one, but hey.. a raise is a raise) but it also means more “interesting” assignments.

6 hours off of cadet status and I get a call from our Chief of Security’s office asking me if I would like to volunteer for some OT. Now I HATE working doubles….. on the units. This was a trip! My first gun-carrying assignment. I was excited and accepted without knowing ANY details. I just wanted to get my feet wet.

We have a lifer with a medical issue that requires he take a trip to the City (2 hours away) 5 times a week. He is a high risk inmate so this requires 4 officers escort him, one being a Lieutenant. You have 2 officers handing him and 2 in a chase vehicle.

Getting a high risk inmate out of a maximum security prison is a chore but necessary evil I suppose. We pick him up from our high max unit about 1420 hours.

He is stripped searched and placed in restraints. The restraints consist of Handcuffs and leg irons. A “black box” is also placed over the cuffs and a belly chain is put around the waist. The belly chain is then attached to the black box with a padlock to keep the hands low near the waist. There is only enough slack to allow the inmate to lower his mouth to his hands to eat for long road trips. He is then taken to IHCC (Medical) to be x-rayed for contraband. (See: This story).

Once cleared by medical he is taken to the Captain’s office for verification and ID. Have to make sure he is the right guy. After that and driving through 3 sally port gates (and having the van shook down each time) we are on the road.

We drive this inmate 2 hours to the city. When we arrive, they are ready for him and we are there for 20 minutes. After the treatment we are back in the van and headed home. 2 more hours and we start the process all over again, just this time in reverse. The inmate is placed back in High Max by 2030 and the trip is over. An easy 6 and 1/2 hours of OT and not mind numbing boring. Needless to say I asked for this assignment. I would do this EVERYDAY if they would let me. Cross your fingers for me!