John Bennett reflects on 40 years at CIM

September 29, 2017

John Bennett

When John Bennett began his correctional career in 1977, movie audiences were watching “Star Wars” and “Smokey and the Bandit.” As of 2017, his career is still going, spanning four decades of service.

In celebration of his long career, Inside CDCR spoke with Sgt. Bennett. He’s spent his entire career at California Institution for Men (CIM) in Chino, watching it transform over the years.

He started his career with the department in August 1977. He reported to CIM for two weeks as a permanent intermittent employee. Then, he was off to the Criminal Justice Training Center in Modesto. There, he trained for two weeks with Marines, the Youth Authority and county sheriff deputies.

After graduating, he worked several positions as a correctional officer including housing unit and recreational yard positions. He said his favorite position was on the field crop crew. Back then, in the late 1970s and early 1980s, CIM didn’t have walls or electrified fences.

John Bennett: ‘Perimeter checks on horseback’

“I provided various jobs on horseback,” Sgt. Bennett said. “I would provide perimeter checks on horseback and repair outer fences, which basically kept all the animals on grounds. The job was great (because) it was basically like being a cowboy for the day. I would report to work and saddle up one of two horses at CIM, Babe or Keno, and provide security and maintenance on the farm.”

Bennett has seen many changes in the training over the course of five decades.

“In the 1980s, I got involved with the range as a Range Master Instructor and was part of the Special Emergency Response Team (SERT),” he said. “There wasn’t a departmental school back then, so we were trained and certified through the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).”

After his early years as a correctional officer, he was promoted.

“I promoted to sergeant on the (10-year anniversary) date I came into the department – Aug. 28, 1987,” he recalled.

In 2004, he helped quell a serious incident at the institution. The following year, he was awarded the silver star at the Medal of Valor ceremony.

“The other best (memory I have) is pinning my son’s badge on him in 2005. I went to Galt in uniform and was treated very well by various instructors and dignitaries. They could clearly see I had almost 30 years in the department. I also knew several people up there due to my time in the department,” he said.

Changes in staff seen over four decades

While Bennett has witnessed significant changes in procedures and technology, he’s also seen a shift in staff as well.

“In my career, I have seen so many changes in this department. I have served with several great people and have served through approximately 15 different wardens. In the old days, we were a place for inmates to come serve their time, but a lot has changed since then,” he said. “Now there are rehabilitative programs to send a more productive person out into society.”

Much of what made CIM unique in the 1970s has also transformed.

“The institution’s layout has also changed. Where there were once dairy and farmland as far as the eye can see, there are now $700,000 homes,” he said.

No solid plans for retiring

With so many years in the department, he’s often asked about retirement.

“I’m taking it day by day. My mind tells me I can work forever, but my body sometimes tells me different. The bottom line is, this has been a very rewarding career for me. I enjoy the people I work with and my family is here,” he said.

“My son is now a correctional sergeant in the department. My daughter works in personnel and the soon-to-be Mrs. John Bennett works as a correctional case records manager. I still feel very productive at work and enjoy my job as the Developmental and Disability Program Sergeant. But for now, I will take it day by day and listen to my body.”

Story by Don Chaddock, Inside CDCR editor
and Lt. Tom Lopez, AA/PIO
California Institution for Men