Ultimate Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)
Core Competencies Practice Exam Texas Department
of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Pre-Employment Core
Competencies
1. According to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Use of Force Plan,
what is the primary and preferred initial step in the force continuum when handling a
non-compliant or disruptive offender?
A. Applying chemical agents like pepper spray
B. Physical weaponless control (compliance holds)
C. Verbal commands and counseling
D. Utilizing a chemical restraint device
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The TDCJ emphasizes the principle of minimum force necessary. Verbal
commands and counseling represent the lowest level on the force continuum and must
always be attempted first to defuse a situation, provided that doing so does not compromise
immediate safety.
2. While conducting a cell search (shakedown), a Correctional Officer discovers an
unauthorized container of home-brewed alcohol (cell phone or contraband). Which
administrative rule or document dictates how the officer must log this incident?
A. Offender Orientation Manual
B. TDCJ Disciplinary Rules and Procedures for Offenders (GR-106)
C. Employee Standards of Conduct (PD-22)
, D. Human Resources Policy Manual
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The GR-106 (Disciplinary Rules and Procedures for Offenders) establishes the
official rule classifications, definitions of contraband, and exact guidelines for writing offense
reports and assessing disciplinary points for offender rule infractions.
3. A Correctional Officer observes an offender drop a handwritten note inside a housing
block common area. Upon inspecting the note, the officer notes it contains a floor
plan layout of the perimeter security fence lines. This item is classified as which type
of contraband?
A. Minor administrative contraband
B. Dangerous contraband
C. Nuisance contraband
D. Approved property variation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Dangerous contraband includes any item that presents a direct threat to the
security, safety, or structural integrity of the facility. Floor plans, escape tools, weapons, and
cellular devices fall under this high-risk classification.
4. Under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards implemented across all
TDCJ units, what is the mandatory immediate action an officer must execute if an
offender discloses a recent sexual assault?
A. Tell the offender to wait until the next shift rotation to see a counselor.
B. Instruct the offender to immediately wash their hands and shower to clean up.
C. Separate the victim from potential threats, protect the crime scene, and notify
medical/supervisor personnel immediately.
D. Conduct an intensive cell search of the entire housing tier prior to notifying
, supervisors.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: PREA mandates immediate crisis intervention and preservation of evidence.
Officers must isolate the victim for protection, instruct them NOT to shower or change
clothes (to preserve physical evidence), secure the scene, and immediately notify
supervisors and medical staff.
5. A Correctional Officer is writing an Offense Report regarding an altercation between
two offenders in the dining hall. Which statement represents the most professional
and objective approach to report writing?
A. "Offender Smith looked angry and I think he started a fight because he is a
troublemaker."
B. "At 12:15 PM, I observed Offender Smith strike Offender Jones in the face with a
closed fist."
C. "Offender Jones was acting very crazy and deserved to be hit by Offender Smith."
D. "I was told by some other guys that Smith has been picking on Jones all week."
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Professional TDCJ reports must be factual, specific, accurate, and free of
personal bias, assumptions, or hearsay. Stating the exact time, specific action observed,
and individuals involved satisfies objective report-writing guidelines.
6. While supervising an outside work detail, an offender suddenly collapses to the
ground, exhibits rapid shallow breathing, and skin that is hot and completely dry.
What life-threatening environmental emergency is occurring?
A. Heat Exhaustion
B. Heat Stroke
C. Systemic Hypothermia
, D. Transient Dehydration
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Hot, dry skin (indicating a complete failure of the body's sweating mechanism)
combined with altered consciousness or collapse are classic indicators of heat stroke. This
is a medical emergency requiring immediate cooling interventions and supervisor
notification.
7. Under TDCJ Policy PD-22 (Standards of Conduct), what occurs if a Correctional
Officer maintains an ongoing, undocumented personal relationship with an offender's
immediate family member outside the facility?
A. It is permitted as long as no contraband is brought inside the unit.
B. It constitutes a direct violation regarding over-familiarity and improper
relationships, risking immediate disciplinary action.
C. It is allowed if the officer logs the relationship on their personal social media
profiles.
D. It is only restricted for administrative supervisors, not floor staff.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: TDCJ rules strictly prohibit over-familiarity or unapproved personal contact with
offenders, ex-offenders, or their family members to prevent compromise, blackmail, and
trafficking of contraband.
8. During a routine headcount in a maximum-security housing block, what is the
primary operational rule an officer must follow to guarantee the validity of the count?
A. Count the offenders quickly by relying entirely on the names written on the door
placards.
B. See living skin and clear movement (breathing or shifting) for every single
offender included in the count.
Core Competencies Practice Exam Texas Department
of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Pre-Employment Core
Competencies
1. According to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) Use of Force Plan,
what is the primary and preferred initial step in the force continuum when handling a
non-compliant or disruptive offender?
A. Applying chemical agents like pepper spray
B. Physical weaponless control (compliance holds)
C. Verbal commands and counseling
D. Utilizing a chemical restraint device
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: The TDCJ emphasizes the principle of minimum force necessary. Verbal
commands and counseling represent the lowest level on the force continuum and must
always be attempted first to defuse a situation, provided that doing so does not compromise
immediate safety.
2. While conducting a cell search (shakedown), a Correctional Officer discovers an
unauthorized container of home-brewed alcohol (cell phone or contraband). Which
administrative rule or document dictates how the officer must log this incident?
A. Offender Orientation Manual
B. TDCJ Disciplinary Rules and Procedures for Offenders (GR-106)
C. Employee Standards of Conduct (PD-22)
, D. Human Resources Policy Manual
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: The GR-106 (Disciplinary Rules and Procedures for Offenders) establishes the
official rule classifications, definitions of contraband, and exact guidelines for writing offense
reports and assessing disciplinary points for offender rule infractions.
3. A Correctional Officer observes an offender drop a handwritten note inside a housing
block common area. Upon inspecting the note, the officer notes it contains a floor
plan layout of the perimeter security fence lines. This item is classified as which type
of contraband?
A. Minor administrative contraband
B. Dangerous contraband
C. Nuisance contraband
D. Approved property variation
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Dangerous contraband includes any item that presents a direct threat to the
security, safety, or structural integrity of the facility. Floor plans, escape tools, weapons, and
cellular devices fall under this high-risk classification.
4. Under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards implemented across all
TDCJ units, what is the mandatory immediate action an officer must execute if an
offender discloses a recent sexual assault?
A. Tell the offender to wait until the next shift rotation to see a counselor.
B. Instruct the offender to immediately wash their hands and shower to clean up.
C. Separate the victim from potential threats, protect the crime scene, and notify
medical/supervisor personnel immediately.
D. Conduct an intensive cell search of the entire housing tier prior to notifying
, supervisors.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: PREA mandates immediate crisis intervention and preservation of evidence.
Officers must isolate the victim for protection, instruct them NOT to shower or change
clothes (to preserve physical evidence), secure the scene, and immediately notify
supervisors and medical staff.
5. A Correctional Officer is writing an Offense Report regarding an altercation between
two offenders in the dining hall. Which statement represents the most professional
and objective approach to report writing?
A. "Offender Smith looked angry and I think he started a fight because he is a
troublemaker."
B. "At 12:15 PM, I observed Offender Smith strike Offender Jones in the face with a
closed fist."
C. "Offender Jones was acting very crazy and deserved to be hit by Offender Smith."
D. "I was told by some other guys that Smith has been picking on Jones all week."
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Professional TDCJ reports must be factual, specific, accurate, and free of
personal bias, assumptions, or hearsay. Stating the exact time, specific action observed,
and individuals involved satisfies objective report-writing guidelines.
6. While supervising an outside work detail, an offender suddenly collapses to the
ground, exhibits rapid shallow breathing, and skin that is hot and completely dry.
What life-threatening environmental emergency is occurring?
A. Heat Exhaustion
B. Heat Stroke
C. Systemic Hypothermia
, D. Transient Dehydration
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Hot, dry skin (indicating a complete failure of the body's sweating mechanism)
combined with altered consciousness or collapse are classic indicators of heat stroke. This
is a medical emergency requiring immediate cooling interventions and supervisor
notification.
7. Under TDCJ Policy PD-22 (Standards of Conduct), what occurs if a Correctional
Officer maintains an ongoing, undocumented personal relationship with an offender's
immediate family member outside the facility?
A. It is permitted as long as no contraband is brought inside the unit.
B. It constitutes a direct violation regarding over-familiarity and improper
relationships, risking immediate disciplinary action.
C. It is allowed if the officer logs the relationship on their personal social media
profiles.
D. It is only restricted for administrative supervisors, not floor staff.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: TDCJ rules strictly prohibit over-familiarity or unapproved personal contact with
offenders, ex-offenders, or their family members to prevent compromise, blackmail, and
trafficking of contraband.
8. During a routine headcount in a maximum-security housing block, what is the
primary operational rule an officer must follow to guarantee the validity of the count?
A. Count the offenders quickly by relying entirely on the names written on the door
placards.
B. See living skin and clear movement (breathing or shifting) for every single
offender included in the count.
