The agency was far better to work for before they merged with the Department of Corrections. If you look at reviews for the Department of Corrections, you will see lots of accusation of cronyism, mismanagement, corruption, favoritism, etc. I had hoped (along with colleagues) when these agencies merged that the Department of Corrections and its staff would rise to the level of the Division of Community Corrections/ACC. Unfortunately, it just brought ACC way down.
The pay is ridiculously low considering you are wearing body armor, carrying a loaded gun and face the very real risk of being shot at, stabbed, etc. I have witnessed staff bitten and doused with hepatitis and HIV infected urine.
Assistant area managers (and some area) have a tendency to talk to staff like they're dogs -- completely disrespectful, yelling, petty. Giving poor performance reviews to staff when legitimate concerns have been raised to them.
There is no difference in pay if you have a GED or a PhD; per Arkansas protocol, education is not valued.
You will inevitably have to draw your gun on someone. That stays with you, even if you do not have to use it.
It is nearly impossible for them to get rid of poor staff. I have seen extremely lazy staff that try to push as much work as possible onto others continue to be employed for years. The same holds true for petty, emotionally disregulated, or shady staff, particularly management.
I have witnessed an assistant area manager completely melt-down over a seemingly minor event and scream at an agent within earshot of felons and staff. She became completely red in the face; this is just one example of the agency allowing unstable and (again) emotionally disregulated staff to continue to work there and form the face of the agency.
Your uniforms will not fit and will be of extremely poor quality. If you need them altered, it comes out of your pocket.
You will be exposed to sex offenders, whether you directly deal with them or not.
You're expected to handle urine samples. You will get it on you at some point.
Realize your salary will top out at $48K unless you move into upper management at Central Office in N. Little Rock. Then you can expect to top out at $100K, give or take, even in a governor-appointed executive position.
