How To Get A Job As A Corrections Officer
Although the work of a Corrections Officer may be stressful and at times dangerous, job opportunities are excellent with a constant, and rising, demand for new recruits. There are good opportunities for advancement and transfer between facilities. Corrections Officers are part of the field of law enforcement.
Corrections Officers work a forty hour week, in daily eight hour shifts. As facilities need officers on a twenty-four hour basis, there are three shifts daily, including weekends. Paid overtime may be required. Corrections Officers work in both state and federal institutions as well as smaller prisons and jails. Larger institutions may be overcrowded and noisy.
The duties of Corrections Officers vary depending on the the area, type of facility and type of prisoners involved. Corrections officers are responsible for enforcing the rules of the institution in which they are employed. They patrol the facility, conduct security sweeps, escort prisoners moving within the institution, and escort and guard them for court procedures. They make regular routine inspections of the facility, conduct security sweeps, search for contraband, settle arguments and disagreements, and restrain prisoners when necessary. Corrections Officers monitor monitor inmates’ behavior, screen visitors, inspect mail, maintain files and reports of rule violations, and breaches in security. For safety reasons, corrections Officers keep in constant communication with their fellow officers.
To be successful, Corrections Officers must be self-confident, diplomatic, firm, able to think and act quickly and decisively. They must above all be physically fit and mentally mature.
Education And Training
Requirements may vary.
All Corrections Officers must be at least eighteen to twenty-one year of age. They must be citizens of the United States or permanent residents.
Smaller facilities may require only a high school diploma.
Federal, state, and larger facilities require a bachelor’s degree or three years of related experience. A period of related experience along with some college credits may be acceptable. College degrees that are preferred would include criminology, criminal justice, and social science.
Applicants must first take and pass a civil service exam.
Applicants are then required to pass an extremely rigorous physical exam, a drug test, and a criminal background check. They must be free of any felony convictions. Several interviews may be part of the application process.
Many state institutions have specific training programs for officers. Federal Officers are required to complete several extensive training courses withing the first year of employment. All formal academic training is followed by further on-the-job training, specific to the facility. Education for Corrections Officers is ongoing as new, career-relevant, knowledge becomes available.
Courses are provided in self-defense and the use of firearms.
Corrections Officers with sufficient training and experience may advance to positions as parole officers, probation officers, supervisors, and administrators.
