If someone applies for a job at a FCI, as say, a Contract Specialist (I picked from their list but let’s assume it’s a desk job)

Does that person also work as a CO? I am talking about if the job requires you to work every day at an actual prison - not an administrative job in DC or whatever.

Everything I’ve read says you’ll be expected to monitor inmates no matter what your job is. Is that true?  

There also seems to be conflict on whether non-CO BOP employees (who work at prisons) are federal LEOs, qualify for LEOSA, and receive extra LE pay. It appears they all go to FLETC but the BOP website is very vague about it. (Maybe there’s not too many attorneys who want to be a CO lol)

Edit: I took this verbiage from one of BOP HVAC Mechanic’s postings

Along with all other correctional institution employees, incumbent is charged with responsibility for maintaining security of the institution. The staff correctional responsibilities precede all others required by this position and are performed on a regular and recurring basis.

Friend of mine works in maintenance at a federal prison. When he got the job he had to go through the basic CO course. He deals with inmates because they help him as workers doing maintenance around the facility. He is not an actual CO though. I’m guessing if all hell broke loose he’d be expected to perform duties as a CO if needed.

Everyone is a CO.

This, especially right now with COVID. Im in psych and work posts pretty often.

Everyone is LEO if they are at a prison.

Feel free to PM if you have more questions.

Augmentation is life.

As long its not a unit job, its easier than my actual job

Thanks for the info guys.

Very interesting model the BOP has. Is being a CO in a federal institution similar to a county jail? I have buddies in the SO who are COs at the jail and the stories they tell are wild.

A bit of research says the federal inmates are generally less violent and the institutions are funded better, but I had no idea even office staff perform CO functions since ~2018 and especially now with Covid.

No Prison is a night and day difference, its extremely political, between car's and gangs.

I currently work at an FCI as a CO and worked at a USP as a CO as well.  Feel free to PM me or ask away!

This! I work in Trust Fund at one of our institutions in Oklahoma. Before Custody went to 12 hr shifts we were being augmented to a housing unit once every two weeks.

I worked at an MCC for a few months before I got a cop job. There was a tactical Timmy who hired for medical and was part of the riot response team and talked more about LEOSA and tactics than any of the CO's did. It was common for people to get pulled from whatever they were hired to do and work a unit. Just a friendly heads up.

I worked for the BOP for a few years. Everyone is considered a CO for purposes of bing a federal LEO and carrying under LEOSA, except for the Public Health Service folks. When going through FLETC, everyone went to the range to qualify except for them.

Retired in 2012 w 22 yrs in BOP.
Electrical Work Supervisor w an inmate crew and Lead FA Instructor as co-lateral duty. As stated, “everyone” is a CO.
As a contract specialist you’ll likely work in the Business Ofc. which may or may not be inside the fence. If inside, you will have daily interaction w inmates/convicts.
All of em are different. Most of em are interesting. Some are fascinating.
As said ... Feel free to PM w any ??s

Stay safe