Candidate Orientation Booklet

Corrections Officer Examination

for Community Correctional Facilities

April 2014

BOARD OF STATE AND

COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS
Standards and Training for Corrections Division
600 Bercut Drive, Sacramento, CA 95811
916.445.5073 PHONE
916.322.5036 FAX
bscc.ca.gov

Leadership Excellence Support

 Corrections Officer Job

The Corrections Officer (CO) is to, under supervision, supervise the conduct of inmates
of the Community Correctional Facility (CCF); and perform other related work. The
position oversees and maintains custody, care, and control of inmates or detainees of a
facility, while enforcing the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of the facility.

Preparing for the Corrections Officer Examination

This is a sample of items on the written selection exam for the CO position. The purpose
of this document is to familiarize you with the format and the types of questions on the
exam.

Passing this sample exam does not entitle you to participate in the CO selection process.
It is only intended to provide you with an idea of what to expect, should you decide to
take the actual selection exam.

The actual selection exam is a timed multiple-choice test divided into three sections:
Reading Comprehension, Writing and Basic Math. The exam is contained in a single test
booklet and an accompanying answer sheet. You will answer all exam items on the
answer sheet, not in the test booklet. Typically, testing will be done in a group setting.
One hour and 40 minutes are allowed to complete the exam.

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The following pages provide sample items representing the three sections of the exam.
Five sample questions are provided for each section.

Your answers to these questions can be checked using the answer key at the end.

CCF Candidate Orientation Booklet – Page 1 of 11

 Section 1: Reading Comprehension
The reading comprehension section is designed to test your ability to understand what
you read and to form logical paragraphs.

Sample Questions:
For questions 1 through 4, read the passage and the question carefully then choose
the correct statement.
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Inmates are responsible for mailing their own forms and legal documents to a court of
law. A list of addresses for the different courts is provided to inmates. Inmates are also
required to pay the postage for any documents they send. On occasion, a document
requires a notary’s signature before being submitted to a court. Because notarization is
not provided for free, inmates must pay the fees for this service.
1. Based ONLY on the paragraph above, which one of the following statements is
the most accurate?
A. Inmates must pay for any postage required to mail court documents.
B. An inmate can ask for assistance with mailing documents to a court.
C. Each document an inmate mails to a court requires notarization.
D. Inmates are reminded to pay for notary services by the court of law.

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Inmates frequently move within a facility from one location to another. Any time an
inmate needs to move from one place to another, a pass is required. The pass must be
signed by an officer. If an inmate is suspected of forging an officer’s signature, the pass
should be verified immediately.
2. Based ONLY on the paragraph above, which one of the following statements is
the most accurate?
A. An inmate with an officer does not need a pass.
B. A pass must be signed by an officer to be valid.
C. A suspicious pass needs an officer’s signature.
D. An inmate is disciplined when found with a forged pass.

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CCF Candidate Orientation Booklet – Page 2 of 11

An inmate should not be confined to a separate holding area as a form of punishment for
longer than ten days. However, exceptions can be made if the inmate poses a threat to the
safety of other inmates and staff members. In such cases, longer confinement may be
acceptable. The warden must approve each case before a longer confinement is imposed.
3. Based ONLY on the paragraph above, which one of the following statements is
the most accurate?
A. An inmate can be confined to a separate holding area if their own safety is
threatened.
B. If an inmate poses a threat, a longer confinement period may be approved.
C. The warden has the ability to extend confinement without probable cause.
D. An extended confinement is acceptable if it is less than ten days.

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When inmates arrive at a facility, they are given a copy of the facility’s Rules and
Regulations. However, policies often change. When this occurs, the Rules and
Regulations are revised. A new copy is then given to all inmates and officers. Officers are
available to answer questions from inmates regarding the revisions. Copies of all the
revisions are kept in the law library.
4. Based ONLY on the paragraph above, how are inmates made aware of changes to
the Rules and Regulations?
A. Inmates are given a copy of the new Rules and Regulations.
B. Officers answer inmates’ questions about policy changes.
C. Officers inform inmates of the changes in the policy.
D. Inmates are given copies of only the changes to policy.

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CCF Candidate Orientation Booklet – Page 3 of 11

Rearrange the sentences below to form the most logical paragraph. Choose the correct
order from the options below.
1. One at a time, all of the living areas were opened and a sniff test was
conducted.
2. Due to the lack of contraband, urine tests for the inmates in and around
Living Area Number 3 were ordered.
3. During the evening Officer C smelled an aroma similar to marijuana.
4. Upon the results of the urine tests any necessary discipline will be given.
5. A thorough search was conducted in Living Area Number 3, however no
contraband was found.
6. The odor was the strongest in Living Area Number 3.
5. Which of the following options represents the correct order of the above
sentences?
A. 3, 6, 5, 2, 1, 4
B. 3, 1, 6, 5, 2, 4
C. 3, 6, 1, 5, 4, 2
D. 3, 1, 6, 4, 5, 2

CCF Candidate Orientation Booklet – Page 4 of 11

 Section 2: Writing
The writing section is designed to test your ability to identify errors in spelling,
punctuation and grammar. There are two different types of questions in the writing
section:
The first question type requires you to identify the best-constructed sentence out
of four options. The sentence must display the appropriate use of words and
contain no grammar, spelling or punctuation errors.
The second question type requires you to read a paragraph and identify the
underlined word that contains a grammar or spelling error.

Sample Questions:
For questions 1 through 3, identify the best constructed sentence. The sentence must
display the appropriate use of words and contain no grammar, spelling or
punctuation errors.
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1.
A. Who started the fight Inmate A; or Inmate B?
B. Who started, the fight Inmate A or Inmate B?
C. Who started the fight Inmate A, or Inmate B?
D. Who started the fight, Inmate A or Inmate B?

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2.
A. Officer W bringed Inmate B to the nurse’s station yesterday.
B. Officer W brung Inmate B to the nurse’s station yesterday.
C. Officer W brought Inmate B to the nurse’s station yesterday.
D. Officer W brings Inmate B to the nurse’s station yesterday.

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3.
A. Officers manetane files about each inmate.
B. Officers maintane files about each inmate.
C. Officers maintain files about each inmate.
D. Officers manetain files about each inmate.

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CCF Candidate Orientation Booklet – Page 5 of 11

For questions 4 and 5, select the option that matches the underlined word in the
paragraph that contains a grammar or spelling error.
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Officer G picked up food trays on Wednesday morning. Inmate B opened the food slot in
his living area and threw his tray at Officer G. Because of the attempted assault, officers
placed Inmate B in a separate holding area. The inmate remained in the holding area until
the officers felt it was safe to move him. Inmate B’s file was reviewed to determine the
appropriate living situation and program for him. Based on the review, the officers assign
Inmate B to a mental health program. He started the program the following Monday.
4. Based ONLY on the paragraph above, which one of the underlined words
contains a grammar or spelling error?
A. picked
B. placed
C. remained
D. assign

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Officers routinely stop inmates from fighting. When incidents occur, officers first control
the uninvolved inmates. Officers begin by instructing the inmates present to lie down on
the ground and stay there until the disturbance is resolved. Inmates who do not follows
the officers’ instructions are viewed as a threat. When inmates are viewed as a threat, the
officers can use physical force or chemical agents to prevent the violence from escalating.
This includes the use of pepper spray or restraints in order to control the incident.
5. Based ONLY on the paragraph above, which one of the underlined words contains
a grammar or spelling error?
A. control
B. begin
C. follows
D. includes

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CCF Candidate Orientation Booklet – Page 6 of 11

 Section 3: Basic Math
The basic math section is designed to test your ability to complete addition and
subtraction math problems without the use of a calculator. Questions are presented in
numerical and word formats.

Sample Questions:

1. What is the sum of the following numbers?

203.42
214.25
194.01
+ 224.63

A. 835.31
B. 836.31
C. 845.31
D. 846.31

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2. Subtract the following amounts:

$188.47
- $ 95.99

A. $82.48
B. $82.58
C. $92.48
D. $92.58

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3. What is the sum of the following numbers?

163
84
+ __63

A. 100
B. 110
C. 300
D. 310

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CCF Candidate Orientation Booklet – Page 7 of 11

4.
You are the officer in a unit that houses 58 inmates. There has been a gas leak and you
are required to escort the inmates to the gym. Before the gas leak, 19 inmates were sent to
the hospital for medical care. How many inmates from your unit will you escort to the
gym?
A. 38
B. 39
C. 48
D. 49

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5.
Each time officers control an incident between inmates an expense is incurred by the
facility. For example, officers had to stop a fight in the recreation yard last week. They
used $8.27 worth of chemical agents. They used $3.34 worth of rubber bullets. The
incident also caused officers to work overtime, which cost a total of $127.53. Some of the
involved inmates had small tears in their clothing, which cost $15.62 to replace. What
was the total cost of the incident?
A. $153.66
B. $153.76
C. $154.66
D. $154.76

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CCF Candidate Orientation Booklet – Page 8 of 11

 Answer Key for Section 1: Reading Comprehension

Explanations
1. Correct Answer: A. A is the only statement fully supported by the paragraph
because it states that inmates are required to pay the postage for any documents
they send, which includes court documents. Choice B is incorrect because the
paragraph does not provide information regarding assistance with mailing. Choice
C is incorrect because not all documents require a notary’s signature. Choice D is
incorrect because there is no mention of the court reminding inmates to pay for
notary services within the paragraph.
2. Correct Answer: B. B is the only statement fully supported by the paragraph. A
pass is only valid if it has an officer’s signature. Choice A is incorrect because a
pass is required any time inmates change locations. Choice C is incorrect because
officer signatures may be forged. Choice D is incorrect because inmate discipline
was not described in the paragraph.
3. Correct Answer: B. B is the only statement fully supported by the paragraph
because it describes the requirements and required approval for extended
confinement. Choice A is incorrect because the safety of the inmate was not
provided as a cause for extended confinement. Choice C is incorrect because
probable cause is required for extended confinement. Choice D is incorrect
because confinement less than ten days is not considered extended.
4. Correct Answer: A. A accurately describes how inmates are informed of changes
to the Rules and Regulations. Choice B is incorrect because while officers can
answer questions about the changes, inmates are made aware of the new changes
by the new copy of the Rules and Regulations. Choice C and D are incorrect
because officers do not inform inmates of the changes and inmates receive a
complete new copy.
5. Correct Answer: B. B forms a logical paragraph with the events occurring in a
logical sequence. The remaining choices result in a paragraph in which the events
take place in an illogical sequence.

CCF Candidate Orientation Booklet – Page 9 of 11

 Answer Key for Section 2: Writing

Explanations
1. Correct answer: D, because D has correct punctuation. The punctuation in the
remaining choices is incorrect.
2. Correct answer: C, because C has the correct verb tense. The grammar in the
remaining choices is incorrect.
3. Correct answer: C, because C contains the correct spelling. The word ‘maintain’
is spelled incorrectly in the remaining choices.
4. Correct answer: D, because D has an incorrect verb tense. The grammar in the
remaining choices is correct. The paragraph is written in past tense and the verb in
option D should be “assigned” to represent the past tense.
5. Correct answer: C, because C has an incorrect subject-verb agreement. The
grammar in the remaining choices is correct. The verb in option C should be
“follow” without the ‘s’ in order to agree with the subject of the sentence,
‘inmates,’ which is plural.

CCF Candidate Orientation Booklet – Page 10 of 11

 Answer Key for Section 3: Basic Math

Explanations
1. Correct answer: B, because the answer is 836.31 when the numbers are summed
correctly. The remaining choices are incorrect because they can only be achieved
by adding incorrectly.
2. Correct answer: C, because the answer is $92.48 when the numbers are subtracted
correctly. The remaining choices are incorrect because they can only be achieved
by subtracting incorrectly.
3. Correct answer: D, because the answer is 310 when the numbers are summed
correctly. The remaining choices are incorrect because they can only be achieved
by adding incorrectly.
4. Correct answer: B, because out of the 58 inmates in the unit, 19 were not present.
Therefore, the correct answer is 39 (58-19). The remaining choices are incorrect
because they can only be achieved by subtracting incorrectly.
5. Correct answer: D, because the total cost of the incident was $154.76. The
remaining choices are incorrect because they can only be achieved by adding
incorrectly.

CCF Candidate Orientation Booklet – Page 11 of 11