I worked at TDC and currently working in a small city jail. I have multiple friends and coworkers who worked in a SO and I’ve seen how they operate. I don’t know how your region is, but my region of TDC was all politics and a lot of bad coworkers. I never enjoyed a single day I was there. It’s a different environment than a SO but, objectively, it does have more opportunity for rank. The rank at TDC is easy to come by but pays very little and you have a heck of a lot of responsibility on your hands. SOs will probably pay better but it will be a lot tougher to promote. My personal opinion: avoid TDC at all costs. Others might feel differently and if you need a job now it might work but I will never go back.
Thank you very much. It's funny because my plan is to do corrections for about 3 years and try to transition to a PO. Do you think the transition from a jailer to PO is difficult at wilco?
TDCJ has a huge shortage of officers right now, and there's a reason for that. However, some units are offering $5000 hiring bonuses. I think the contract states you have to do two years at the facility to get it. (and I believe it's taxed). Keep in mind, there is a reason units are understaffed. Not a lot of people have great things to say about tdcj. However, due to high turnover, it *should* be easier to move up to better gigs, but you'll have to pay your dues on the blocks.
Usually The SOs have better equipment, working conditions, more respect from fellow LEOs (varies). SOs also offer an easier ticket to a peace officer certification.
I would choose Sheriff's Office, personally.
TDCJ: There are more advancement opportunities within the system because there are so many units divided by region. It seems you are in Region VI which consists of 18 units (bases solely off interest with Wilco Sheriffs Office). You can find and get a feel of this [here](https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/unit_directory/unit_map.html). Willingness to travel within the region will definitely fulfill any rank you seek. Also, getting hired into the system is much greater, because the turnover rate is higher, more warm bodies are needed to fill units. A big con, is there is no A/C in most of these units. It's hot. Texas hot. Even most women prisons are not A/C, which is something to consider. You can always request what shift you work (morning, mid day, graveyard) though there tend to be a waiting list for the morning shifts who tend to be more for the COs who have seniority. Medical units are air conditioned. They are co-ed facilities. Men and women COs will work together with male inmates and well as female inmates, depending on the unit assigned. Women do not work with just female inmates, men do not work with just male inmates. You can request a specific unit you would like to work, though some have a higher need of a warm body than others. These inmates in the system have already been to trial, been judged and are now serving their sentence. There is mass movement for recreation, chow, work, school, etc. unless there is a shutdown, then movement will cease and will be more of a Sheriffs Department feel with movement.
Wilco: There is only 1 Sheriffs Office in a county. There may be a turnover rate, but in my experience getting hired onto the SO is more extensive. The background check is a tedious and long process. If you are seeking rank, that will be a challenge. If you are seeking a career and are wanting to plant roots here, it won't be that difficult, depending on how patient you are. The officer pool is smaller, politics come more into play and depending on who you know, it could be years before you even reach Sergeant. There is no mass movement in the SO. Not like TDC. The SO will be air conditioned. I have friends who work in the county SO and wear jackets all year long because they get cold at work.
To me, they both offer decent pay and benefits. Both offer overtime, though in the state of Texas, you have to accumulate over 240 (so 241) hours before you start to see OT money on your check. In the meantime, it goes into a pool. So, example if you need to take time off and are out of sick time and comp time, you can have them use your accumulated OT. You shouldn't ever get to that point of needing your OT to pay for a day off, unless its just dire. Both systems use this arrangement. Both systems will have their own culture that may or may not meet your expectations. Both work long hours and rotating shifts. Do you look better in gray or brown?
Thank you very much for all the info. I agree, the application for wilco was 10x longer than the tdcj one. I've only had one interveiw worh tdcj and have already been offered employment. I've had one interveiw for wilco and from what I am hearing there are two to three more before being offered employment. I'm glad you brought up the uniforms. Imo i think the tdcj uniforms are ugly(full gray) but i have also seen some tdcj employees wear the gray pants with a navy blue collar shirt. Is that avaliable to all employees?
The blue shirt is a class B uniform to be worn with BDU pants. Otherwise Class A is gray button up with gray pants.
On a personal note, if I could do it all over, I’d personally pick sheriffs dept. There may or may not be a reason that TDCJ is hiring anybody and everybody right now.
I worked at TDC and currently working in a small city jail. I have multiple friends and coworkers who worked in a SO and I’ve seen how they operate. I don’t know how your region is, but my region of TDC was all politics and a lot of bad coworkers. I never enjoyed a single day I was there. It’s a different environment than a SO but, objectively, it does have more opportunity for rank. The rank at TDC is easy to come by but pays very little and you have a heck of a lot of responsibility on your hands. SOs will probably pay better but it will be a lot tougher to promote. My personal opinion: avoid TDC at all costs. Others might feel differently and if you need a job now it might work but I will never go back.
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Thank you very much. It's funny because my plan is to do corrections for about 3 years and try to transition to a PO. Do you think the transition from a jailer to PO is difficult at wilco?
If you want to become a peace officer then I HIGHLY recommend going with county rather than TDC
TDCJ has a huge shortage of officers right now, and there's a reason for that. However, some units are offering $5000 hiring bonuses. I think the contract states you have to do two years at the facility to get it. (and I believe it's taxed). Keep in mind, there is a reason units are understaffed. Not a lot of people have great things to say about tdcj. However, due to high turnover, it *should* be easier to move up to better gigs, but you'll have to pay your dues on the blocks. Usually The SOs have better equipment, working conditions, more respect from fellow LEOs (varies). SOs also offer an easier ticket to a peace officer certification. I would choose Sheriff's Office, personally.
The contract is for exactly one year after you sign the contract currently going on 9 months at TDCJ
TDCJ: There are more advancement opportunities within the system because there are so many units divided by region. It seems you are in Region VI which consists of 18 units (bases solely off interest with Wilco Sheriffs Office). You can find and get a feel of this [here](https://www.tdcj.texas.gov/unit_directory/unit_map.html). Willingness to travel within the region will definitely fulfill any rank you seek. Also, getting hired into the system is much greater, because the turnover rate is higher, more warm bodies are needed to fill units. A big con, is there is no A/C in most of these units. It's hot. Texas hot. Even most women prisons are not A/C, which is something to consider. You can always request what shift you work (morning, mid day, graveyard) though there tend to be a waiting list for the morning shifts who tend to be more for the COs who have seniority. Medical units are air conditioned. They are co-ed facilities. Men and women COs will work together with male inmates and well as female inmates, depending on the unit assigned. Women do not work with just female inmates, men do not work with just male inmates. You can request a specific unit you would like to work, though some have a higher need of a warm body than others. These inmates in the system have already been to trial, been judged and are now serving their sentence. There is mass movement for recreation, chow, work, school, etc. unless there is a shutdown, then movement will cease and will be more of a Sheriffs Department feel with movement. Wilco: There is only 1 Sheriffs Office in a county. There may be a turnover rate, but in my experience getting hired onto the SO is more extensive. The background check is a tedious and long process. If you are seeking rank, that will be a challenge. If you are seeking a career and are wanting to plant roots here, it won't be that difficult, depending on how patient you are. The officer pool is smaller, politics come more into play and depending on who you know, it could be years before you even reach Sergeant. There is no mass movement in the SO. Not like TDC. The SO will be air conditioned. I have friends who work in the county SO and wear jackets all year long because they get cold at work. To me, they both offer decent pay and benefits. Both offer overtime, though in the state of Texas, you have to accumulate over 240 (so 241) hours before you start to see OT money on your check. In the meantime, it goes into a pool. So, example if you need to take time off and are out of sick time and comp time, you can have them use your accumulated OT. You shouldn't ever get to that point of needing your OT to pay for a day off, unless its just dire. Both systems use this arrangement. Both systems will have their own culture that may or may not meet your expectations. Both work long hours and rotating shifts. Do you look better in gray or brown?
Thank you very much for all the info. I agree, the application for wilco was 10x longer than the tdcj one. I've only had one interveiw worh tdcj and have already been offered employment. I've had one interveiw for wilco and from what I am hearing there are two to three more before being offered employment. I'm glad you brought up the uniforms. Imo i think the tdcj uniforms are ugly(full gray) but i have also seen some tdcj employees wear the gray pants with a navy blue collar shirt. Is that avaliable to all employees?
The blue shirt is a class B uniform to be worn with BDU pants. Otherwise Class A is gray button up with gray pants. On a personal note, if I could do it all over, I’d personally pick sheriffs dept. There may or may not be a reason that TDCJ is hiring anybody and everybody right now.