Corrections Officer Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a corrections officer. Feel free to use our corrections officer job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a corrections officer.
Who is a Corrections Officer?
Corrections officers are responsible for guarding prisoners in regional and local prisons. Some of the corrections officer’s duties include prisoner transport, counseling, and guarding certain areas.
Corrections officers may be allowed to accompany prisoners who are permitted to leave the prison for work or recreation. The corrections officer might be required to return a prisoner to his proper place of imprisonment if he or she escapes from prison. He may also be required to screen visitors or items brought into the prison by them or to guard those who are in custody while they await a trial.
Apart from interfacing with inmates and their families, corrections officers are often involved in maintaining records and files. This paperwork can include logs and reports that reflect inmate behavior. Corrections officers may also prepare other documents that address topics like suspicious or unusual conduct, security violations, or rule violations. He can be called upon to discuss reported violations if necessary.
These officers may monitor prisoner activity using closed-circuit television or a computerized tracking device in facilities with the highest level of security. This monitoring takes place at a central security control center. This high-tech equipment allows the officer to remotely monitor every cell, as well as visitor areas, showers, and exercise lots.
The minimum age requirement to become a corrections officer is between 18 and 21. These requirements are determined by guidelines and statutes at the national and regional levels. An equivalent diploma from high school is preferable, but not always required. A bachelor’s degree is preferred, although you might also need to have significant work experience in counseling, management, or law enforcement.
Training to be a corrections officer can be done off-site, or at the prison. Common courses include interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, and interpretation of rules. Many corrections agencies require that officers take classes in self-defense and firearms skills. For those who wish to improve their skills and education to be eligible for promotions and advancement, advanced training is available.
Corrections Officer Job Description
Below are the corrections officer job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a corrections officer job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a corrections officer include the following:
- Preparing detailed and precise incident reports
- Monitoring the exterior and interior of the facility
- Performing cell and inmate searches
- Inspecting visitors and packages brought to the facility
- Outlining policies and procedures on how to respond to crises situations
- Overseeing activities of inmates, including visits, meals, classes, and recreation.
- Using surveillance cameras to monitor inmates and the grounds.
- Supervising detainees and their activities.
- Providing corrections and care services to inmates
- Engaging in the management of inmate holding areas.
- Transporting and escorting prisoners within secure areas, according to applicable laws, policies, or procedures.
- Contributing to institution security.
- Performing searches of visitors and inmates.
- Preparing incident reports, and other documentation.
- Enforcing rules and regulations regarding facility security, inmate conduct, and inmate accountability.
- Performing precise headcounts.
- Protecting inmates and fellow officers against harm by breaking up physical fights
- Assisting in emergencies, such as CPR, first aid, and escape of prisoners.
- Performing regular headcounts within a section of inmates
- Ensuring safety and security, monitoring inmate behavior, and reporting any unusual activity
- Escorting inmates to work sites, medical facilities, classrooms, or anywhere else they need assistance in a safe and timely manner.
- Assisting other corrections officers in the management of inmates
- Searching inmate areas such as cells, recreation rooms, and showers for illegal items
- Managing confrontations as they occur to confront security
- Respecting and enforcing all prison rules.
- Assuring the security of the courtroom
- Enforcing courtroom rules
- Following court procedures
- Escorting judges, jurors, and witnesses
- Handling evidence and court papers
The following are other important tasks:
- Supervising inmates
Corrections officers have the primary responsibility of supervising inmates. They are responsible for transporting inmates to courtrooms and medical facilities. While supervising inmates’ daily activities, corrections officers must be vigilant.
- Enforce rules
While supervising inmates, corrections officers enforce the rules. Each facility has its code of conduct and rules. The corrections officer is responsible for ensuring that all inmates follow these rules at all times.
Respecting the rules means maintaining order in the facility. This includes resolving conflicts, administering discipline actions, or preventing new issues from arising. corrections officers enforce rules and communicate with inmates to punish them.
- Inspecting the facilities
Corrections officers inspect all areas where inmates reside and interact. This is done to ensure that both inmates and staff are safe. They also look for illegal contraband, unsanitary conditions, and security concerns. Inspections are necessary to ensure that everyone is safe and healthy and that all regulations are being observed.
- Submitting reports
Corrections officers must submit written reports when there is an infraction to the rules. This allows for the keeping of a record of inmate behavior. These reports may be used by authorities at hearings, probation hearings, and other legal gatherings. The majority of corrections officers must submit daily logs detailing inmate behavior.
- Participating in rehabilitation
Officers may also be involved in rehabilitation activities at some corrections institutions. This could involve counseling inmates, or providing education and training courses. Officers with advanced training or education are usually qualified to hold these jobs. An officer who has computer repair experience might teach the course, giving the inmate a new skill after their release.
Qualifications
A training academy is usually attended by bailiffs and corrections officers. While qualifications may vary from one state to the next, all agencies require a high-school diploma. Federal agencies might also require previous work experience or college education.
Many agencies have a minimum age for corrections officers which is usually between 18 and 21.
Education
A high school diploma or equivalent is required for corrections officers.
Federal Bureau of Prisons requires that entry-level corrections officers have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and 1 to 3 years of experience in a field that provides counseling, assistance, or supervision for individuals to be eligible to work in federal prisons.
Training
Training is provided for corrections officers at an academy. The average training can vary from one state to the next. International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training provides links to state Peace Officer Standards and Training programs (POST). The Academy trainees are taught a variety of subjects including self-defense and institutional policies, regulations, operation, and security procedures.
Personality and interests
According to the Holland Code framework, most corrections officers are interested in Building, Persuading, and Organizing interests areas. The Building area indicates that the focus is on using tools and machines and fixing or making practical things. The Persuading area indicates a focus on motivating and selling to others. The Organizing interest zone indicates a focus on working with information and processes to organize things.
To determine if you have an interest in Building, Persuading, or Organization that might be compatible with a career as a corrections officer you can take the career test.
Essential Skills
These are some examples of skills and abilities used by corrections officers to help them fulfill their duties.
- Resilience
A good corrections officer must learn from mistakes and apply those lessons to improve their work. They may make mistakes from time to time, but maintaining order in prison is not an easy task. For example, if an officer or inmate is hurt in a fight in prison, the corrections officer must learn from it and take steps to prevent future incidents.
- Communication skills
Effective communication is essential for corrections officers. They must be able to communicate with their colleagues and with the people they supervise. To gain respect and attention from inmates, corrections officers should speak confidently. To avoid confusion and misbehavior, they should communicate their commands and instructions. They should use calm, authoritative body language when speaking to people.
When interacting with inmates, officers must also be able to listen and actively communicate. They must be sensitive to the needs of inmates and encourage them to share information.
- Open-mindedness
Corrections officers need to be open to new ideas and methods of working. They must have a flexible mindset that allows them to adapt to new situations and challenges. This ability allows them to adapt to new situations. Corrections officers who are open-minded avoid stereotypes and bias in their work.
- Stress management skills
It can be stressful to work as a corrections officer. High levels of stress can cause impairments in one’s ability to function. For corrections officers to be able to manage stress and remain positive in stressful situations, they must have stress management skills.
- Self-discipline
Corrections officers must have self-discipline and must be able to concentrate on their work and react to situations rationally, rather than emotionally. They should be able to resolve any conflict within a facility. Self-disciplined corrections officers can also learn new skills and improve their work performance.
- Analytical skills
The analytical skills required for corrections officers are to recognize patterns, trends, and other unusual activities. These skills allow them to draw meaningful conclusions and take appropriate action. Corrections officers also benefit from analytical skills to solve problems and prevent them from recurring.
- Teamwork
Corrections officers need to work together and support one another in their work. Working together makes the job easier and more enjoyable. It can be a motivator for not only one officer but the entire team. Officers can approach mental health problems with support from their colleagues through teamwork and cooperation. Although the job can be stressful, it is much easier to manage stress with the support of your team.
- Problem-solving skills
Officers can use problem-solving skills to assess and evaluate situations and create effective strategies to resolve problems. The solution should benefit everyone involved.
- Observational skills
The corrections officers must be aware of all activities at work. They need to be alert for contraband, unusual behavior, and other illegal activities. Officers can identify potential problems and deal with them before they escalate into major problems by using their observation skills. They can prevent major problems from becoming a problem for the inmate population and themselves.
- Fitness
The job of a corrections officer can be physically demanding. They may also have to train inmates. Many corrections officers prefer to learn martial arts or any form of combat. They must also be able to stand and walk for most of the day.
- Impartiality
In all interactions with inmates, corrections officers should be neutral. They must not show favoritism or treat inmates the same way. They must inform superiors of any rule violation, regardless of who broke it, and enforce any disciplinary action. They must also cooperate with any external law enforcement who needs to conduct an investigation.
How to Become a Corrections Officer
- Meet minimum requirements
These requirements may be different for federal positions than state or local ones. You can usually find the requirements for your state on the websites of corrections departments. Most requirements include being a citizen of the United States, having no criminal convictions, and having a minimum age of twenty years.
- Earn a degree
For most local corrections officer positions, you only need a high school diploma. Candidates who have completed a degree or equivalent college usually earn a higher salary and are more likely to be promoted. They can also qualify for greater opportunities.
Federal corrections facilities will require a degree or relevant experience. However, a preference for law enforcement or military background is common and can often be substituted for a degree.
- Pass the entrance exam to apply for a job
Before being interviewed, you will need to pass a physical test and a psychological exam.
- Receive training in an approved academy
The length of training for corrections officers can vary from a few days to several months depending on the job or employer. This training often includes firearms training, procedure training (such as restraint techniques, inmate transport, riot control), basic fitness training, legal and rehabilitation training. After completing the academy, you may be able to receive on-the-job training.
- Be a sworn official
After completing their training, corrections officers swear an oath to office. Although it can vary from one state to the next, most oaths are both verbal and written.
- Train and advance
You have more chances to be promoted as a corrections officer as you get more experience in the field. You should take advantage of every opportunity to learn new skills or refresher courses in firearms or defense training. Additional degrees, certificates, or credentials can help you get promoted. You can also choose to specialize, such as in leading a riot response or tactical response team or learning psychological counseling methods.
Where to Work
To provide security around the clock in a prison or jail, corrections officers work full-time on rotating shifts. It is not uncommon for corrections officers to work overtime, on holidays, weekends, and nights.
Corrections Officer Salary Scale
On average, corrections officers make $35,429 annually. Salaries may vary depending on the employer, geographical location, education, and experience.