Wickedcoolname
NES Member
I guess my experience working in a state prison for over 20 years was different than your experience. If COs were getting paid by anyone other than the state they must have thought I didn't need the money. I was never offered a cent.CO's decide who is protected based on who pays. As long as the inmates don't touch the protected, they are allowed a certain illusion of control. Drugs and other contraband doesn't get in without the CO's letting it in.
It is entirely possible to make prisons relatively safe and controlled environments. But the inmates hate that. They prefer the illusion of control. There was a documentary on a warden who did just that. Inmates hated it.
Gen Pop justice wasn't a thing at his house.
Virtually all of the contraband that makes inside is brought in by visitors and non-security staff, nurses, counselors, teachers, clergy and so on.
Maybe you've watched Brubaker too many times.
But, you could always take the exam and get yourself a cushy gig over at Shirley Max. Maybe you can root out corruption and win yourself a medal. Or take some of that sweet graft money and retire in the Caribbean.