A Comprehensive Guide to Correctional Officer Training
Correctional officers work in a variety of settings, from large prisons to small community police stations, residential treatment centers to work camps. Their job is largely determined by the needs of their employment location; however, it usually involves maintaining a safe environment for the inmates under their charge. Correctional officers work to minimize fights and other disturbances by visiting prison or jail cells, taking preemptive measures to diffuse emotionally charged situations, and building appropriate relationships. Becoming a correctional officer is not for the faint of heart. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics states that the rate of non-fatal injuries reported by correctional training officers is among the highest.
In addition to working directly with inmates, correctional training officers support numerous administrative functions. They organize paperwork for transferring inmates, ensuring that all the permits are signed and filed, and often search mail for contraband. Some correctional training officers supervise inmates while eating or recreating, and all must stay up-to-date with licensing requirements and site-specific knowledge such as equipment use. The following article will provide you with information and resources on how to become a correctional officer, what to expect from the training period, and what the day-to-day of the job entails.
Correctional Training Officer Facts and Statistics
- Becoming a correctional officer requires a high school diploma, at minimum. Many states have more stringent academic requirements. (Correctional Training Officer Facts)
- Some correctional officers make lateral moves to related fields of employment. For example, work experience can lead to career opportunities in drug counseling, or as a parole or probation officer. (Career Overview)
- Correctional training officers can expect a high degree of job security, as the inmate population continues to grow and qualified officers are in high demand. (All Things Political)
- Students who pursue a four-year degree in criminal justice, a common degree for individuals wanting to become correctional officers, take classes in law, crime prevention, communication, and social science. (Michigan State University)
- Correctional officers can work with young adults in group homes, detention centers, and work camps. For these jobs, interpersonal skills are extremely important. (Juvenile Corrections Officer)
- There are nearly half a million positions for correctional training officers. Over half of the jobs are in state prisons, and almost all the rest are in local jails. A small number of positions, about 32,000 in 2002, are in federal or privately owned prisons. (Correctional Officer Statistics)
- Correctional officers have an extremely high stress job. Their suicide rate is 39% higher than other occupations, and their divorce and substance abuse rate is higher than the general population as well. A correctional training officer can expect to be assaulted twice, at least, in a twenty year career. (Department of Corrections Facts)
- The median salary for a correctional officer is $39, 608. (Salary)
- Criminal justice degrees, including associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees, can be earned online through numerous accredited programs. (Directory of Schools)
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Educational Requirements of Correctional Training Officers
According the United Sates Bureau of Labor Statistics , the Federal Bureau of Prisons requires that all correctional officers have at least a bachelor's degree, if not more. Many places of employment also require three years of full-time experience in counseling, assistance, or supervision (or a combination of these fields). State and local corrections agencies may be more lax on their requirements, and a high school diploma and/or some college credit may suffice over a college degree.
Beyond a formal education, Federal, state, and local departments often provide training for correctional officers based on a set list of guidelines. After this instruction, most correctional agencies offer on-the-job training to all of their new employees. This training might consist of information on legal restrictions and interpersonal relations. Individuals will also be taught in firearm proficiency and self-defense skills.
Some classes you may expect to take in a correctional officer training academy include institutional policies, regulations, operations, and custody and security procedure.
Federal correctional officers must also undergo 200 hours of formal training with the first year of employment. In addition, 120 hours of specialized training is required at the U.S. Bureau of Prisons residential training center in Georgia.
Those individuals working as members of the prison tactical response teams are trained to respond to disturbances, riots, hostage situations, forced cell moves, and other dangerous confrontations. They learn how to disarm those wielding weapons, how to protect themselves from inmates with chemical agents, and other harsh tactics (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). Keep in mind: becoming a correctional officer puts you on the frontlines of dangerous situations on a regular basis. The training for this career reflects that.
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Average Salary and Job Outlook of a Correctional Officer
The employment of correctional training officers is expected to grow by 9 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is about as fast as average for all jobs currently in the United States. Employment should increase with the general growth of the population overall, as more and more people will need to be incarcerated. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also predicts that a large percentage of those currently working as correctional training officers will retire in the coming years and need to be replaced. This makes the outlook for this job incredibly favorable.
The median annual wage of a correctional officer or jailer was $38,380 in May of 2008. The middle 50 percent earn between $29,660 and $51,000, and the top ten percent earn more than $64,110. Related occupations fall as follows:
First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Correction Officers = Median salary of $57,380 in May 2008
Bailiffs = Median salary of $37,820 in May 2008
Federal Correctional Officers = Median salary of $53,459
Put this Graph on Your Site
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Resources and Information on the Jobs and Duties of Correctional Officers
The responsibilities of a correctional training officer are varied. All correctional officers are only responsible for law enforcement within the confines of their institution. Most correctional officers are unarmed on a day-to-day basis due to their close proximity to cellblocks, and are equipped with high-tech communication devices that will enable them to get help quickly. If the prison is incredibly high security, correctional officers may even monitor the inmates through cameras and computers from a control center. This is to decrease the possibility of escape and ensure the safety of the officers.
Since every single moment of an inmates day must be monitored, it falls to the correctional training officers to escort prisoners from their cells to various activities. Correctional officers are also responsible for searching cells, questioning prisoners, monitoring prison visits, and making sure that the facility is carefully locked. Officers may also assist other local law enforcement if a crime has been committed within the facility. Here are some resources that offer more information on the day-to-day activities of correctional training officers:
Bureau of Labor Statistics: This comprehensive site presents information on job advancement for correctional training officers, and offers an excellent review of the typical daily workload and tasks.
Career Description from Career Planner: An easy-to-read list including both job and skill requirements.
Examples of Responsibilities: Although personalized to Florida-based corrections officers, this website presents common job duties and is illustrated by a video.
Competency Profile for Corrections Officers: This detailed document outlines the traits and attitudes of successful correctional officers, necessary knowledge and skills, and typical duties categorized by each job responsibility.
Federal Bureau of Prisons: A no-frills job description that's relevant to correctional officers working in prisons across the country. Discusses qualifications including educational background, work history, and important skills.
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General Resources on Correctional Officers
National Institute of Corrections : The latest news on everything related to the corrections field can be found here, in an easily searchable database. Connect with corrections professionals, find training in your area, and research government-funded corrections initiatives.
Day in the Life : Includes brief reviews of daily routines for correctional officers working in large state prisons to county jails.
Five Steps to Becoming a Corrections Officer: While there are numerous entry points into the correctional officer field, this site offers a general checklist of tasks that will be required for all of them.
Indeed Corrections Officer Forum : This online forum is for individuals with questions about the correctional officer field, ranging from the workplace experience of women to state-specific requirements for employment.
National Association of Female Correctional Officers : This organization is dedicated to supporting women in the correctional training field, through legislative work and community building.
Interview with a Corrections Officer: In this candid interview, a veteran corrections officer describes a typical day at work, challenges of her job, and what new corrections officers can expect in their first few years.
American Correctional Association : This association is the oldest and largest community of correctional professionals, offering continuing education seminars, professional certification, networking opportunities, and a database of relevant periodicals.
Career Overview for Corrections Officers : This website explains that although jobs can be dangerous, “employment prospects are bright” for corrections officers.
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Top Schools to Obtain Training as a Correctional Officer
Arizona State University: This well-respected program offers degrees both online and on the main campus in sunny Tempe.
Boston University Online: Boston University Online has some of the best professors in the field offering tutorage. Classes can be accessed from anywhere, 24-hours a day. The school offers a master's in criminal justice that is targeted towards anybody who wishes to advance their career.
Buffalo State University: Buffalo State University has a program on criminal justice that explores the social, cultural, political, and organizational influences on criminal justice policies and operations. The school also has a well-established internship program within the community.
Michigan State University: The nation's oldest degree-granting program in criminal justice can be found at Michigan State University, which began its pioneering research and training in 1935.
University of Maryland: The University of Maryland is ranked among the best programs for criminal justice studies, offering degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, with classes taught by the most frequently cited criminal justice faculty in the country.
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Job Boards for Correctional Officers
USA Jobs: Specific to government jobs, this job board allows you to search for correctional officer positions across the country.
Indeed Job Search: This popular search engine allows you to locate correctional officer jobs by location and salary range.
Criminal Justice Jobs Clearinghouse: Organized by jobs with youth, prisons, federal agencies, and the police, this job board links you to the professional environment in which you want to work as a correctional officer.
Criminal Justice Employment: Scroll through the common job titles for corrections-related professions to find the job-search links at the bottom of the page.
The Corrections Connection: Promoted as the premier site for corrections-related employment, this website also offers current news from the field, information on career, and other resources.
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The Top 10 Cities to Work as a Correctional Officer
Phoenix, AZ: With a reasonable cost of living, year-round sunshine, and growing population, Phoenix is fast becoming a preferred destination for individuals seeking to grow their careers.
Compton, CA : Corrections officers looking for a hub of criminal activity may find Compton attractive; regularly featured on “most dangerous city” lists, Compton also boasts several family-friendly residential communities.
Baltimore, MD: This energetic location attracts corrections officers looking for the challenge and opportunity of working in a thriving, diverse city.
Albuquerque, NM: Requiring homes and commercial buildings to be energy efficient, this city takes “green” seriously. The job market is expected to continue expanding, as the city aggressively recruits the film industry and other large businesses.
Nashville, TN: The epicenter of country music is a thriving arts community, with a jam-packed events calendar and reasonable cost of living. Job prospects for corrections officers look good with a consistently high crime rate.
Philadelphia, PA: Philadelphia offers history, festivals, museums, great clubs, and plenty of work to keep correctional officers busy. As a bonus, it's an easy jaunt to the tranquil countryside as well.
Olympia, WA: Government jobs account for nearly half of Olympia's employment opportunities, including a large community of corrections officers.
Utica, NY: Great for families, year-round recreation is a mark of the Utica community. Ski in the winter, enjoy the marina in summer, and take advantage of the beautiful parks all the time.
Huntsville, AL: With its strong economy and job market, family-friendly Huntsville is a sure fit for those seeking steady correctional officer employment in a pleasant environment.
Madison, WI: This state capitol is also home to a large university and numerous biotech firms, contributing to a community that is forward-thinking. Crime rates are reasonable, making this city both family-friendly and a challenging place to work.
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Related Occupations to Correctional Officers
Fire Fighters: While at first glance this may seem a far cry from correctional training, fire fighting attracts many of the same people – those who enjoy high stress situations, helping others, and serving their community.
Police and Detectives: Like correctional officer training, police and detective work can be stressful and dangerous and involves being on the right side of the law. The average pay of a police or detective tends to be a bit higher than that of a correctional training officer. Further, individuals in these careers have more room to advance.
Private Detectives and Investigators: For anybody who enjoys helping law enforcement, high stress situations, and working on the right side of the law, private detection and investigation may be the career for you.
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists: Employed by mostly state and local government agencies, this career also involves working to rehabilitate criminals. Individuals pursuing this career, however, must have a bachelor's degree in social work, criminal justice, psychology, or a related field. Job outlook for this profession looks excellent.
Security Guards and Gaming Surveillance Officers: This job is a great opportunity for anybody who enjoys correctional employment. The job can be hazardous, but due to flexible hours and limited formal training requirements, competition is tough.
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