Educational requirements of correctional officer:

Correctional officer who work for prison must be qualified on several fronts.

There are different requirements according to county and state governments which set their own educational requirement for entry level correction officers.

Having a college degree is considered important for federal government.

• A high school diploma or GED is a must for any level of correction officers like for city or county level prison positions having high school diploma is a must.
• Opportunities are given for those who have associate degree or bachelor’s degree as these increases the chances of hiring for a candidate who can make special advancements.
• When considering federal bureau government agencies as holding a college degree is a must for them, they expect candidate to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
• Chances are more favorable for the candidates who hold degree in law, criminal justice, social work or any other related field.
• Depending on the special legal power, employer will sponsor additional training on the job which will be given under the supervision of experienced corrections officer.
• Some local agencies won’t be in a position to afford for full time training academy so some states establishes regional training facilities to train those who are hired as local correction officers.
• Those hired by federal agencies need 120 hours of training at the bureau prison facility in Georgia in about 60days of joining and then 200 hours of formal training which is given by the end of their first year.

Skills needed for correction officers:

The correction officer who takes care of the prison and the prisoners are expected to have sharp physical and mental skills to be able to manage inmates in the prison.

The main and important skill they need to have is quick thinking and ability to act immediately.

These officers are also called as detention officers.

They need many skills to manage the inmates in the prison.

The essential skills that are important for correction officers are as follows:

• Listening skills: Correction officers need to have good listening skills as they need to understand what the inmates are conveying. It is very important that these officers understand the queries of prisoners and help them be in discipline.

• Critical thinking skills: This is one of the important skill which correction officers need to have as they need to understand what the inmate says is true or not. They should be in a position to analyze the problem and think what the inmate says is true or not and help them solve them problem.

• Negotiation and persuasion skills: These skills are also very important for correction officer as when any problem or conflict arises between the inmates they should be able to negotiate between them and help in resolving the conflict.

• Interpersonal skills: Correction officers should also have interpersonal skills like fairness, arbitration, clarity etc… as these officers work with different cultures and different ethical background employees and prisoners they should not have any discrimination and they are expected to be fair in their working practice and treat all the prisoners equally.

• Self-restraint: Correctional officers should impose a high degree of restraint on themselves when communicating with their co employers or they should be completely focused when interacting with prisoners.

• Team work: As they usually work with other officers in the prison they need to work with team and they need to create a good bonding with them. They need to work in team when checking cells of the prisoners and identify any unsanitary conditions according to the state board. They need to be friendly with their fellow officers cooperate about any changes in the work shifts.

• Enforcement skills: Corrections officers are expected to be strong but have a fair mind when dealing with the prisoners. They have to be strict and punish the inmates who disobey the rules. They should not insult prisoners by showing their power or deny them privileges.

• Social perception: They should carefully identify health issues of the prisoners that could affect them and resolve them and any happening bad feelings between prisoners which could result in violence.

Certifications for correction officers:

Corrections officers don’t require any certification.

The main things they are expected to have are

-      Must be a US citizen.

-      Corrections officers should be in good health.

-      They need to meet formal standards of employment like, physical fitness, good hearing and good eyesight.

-      They will be screened for drug abuse.

-      Background checks will be thoroughly done.

-      They need to pass written examination.

Salary and remuneration for correction officer:

Depending on various factors like years of experience, geographical location the salary of correction officers differs according to rules and regulations of each state.

• The median average annual income of correction officers is $38,380 per annum.

• The starting salary of correction officers who is with less than one year of experience is $30,056 per annum

• Correction officers who are with one to four years of experience earned an average salary of $32,406 per annum and hourly wage of $15.58.

• Correction officers with five to nine years of experience earn $38,916 per annum and hourly wage of $18.71.

• The incomes of correction officers who are with ten to nineteen years of experience earn $44,304 per annum and hourly wage of $21.30.

• Correction officers with more than twenty years of experience will get an average income of $59,000 per annum and hourly wage of $28.26.

The type of employer they work also plays an important role in determining salaries as it mostly depends on the company size and the industry type

Salaries according to employer type and industries

• Correction officers working for Juvenile homes earn salary of $42,000 per annum.

• Correction officer working for jails earn an average income of $64,110 per annum.

Salaries according to different states in United States:

• Correction officers working in California earned the highest salary of $63,230 per annum or an hourly wage of $30.40.

• Correction officers working in New Jersey can earn an average income of$62,240 per annum and an hourly wage of $29.92.

• Correction officers working in Massachusetts can earn an average income of $54,850 per annum.

• Correction officers working in Nevada can earn an average income of$54,820 per annum.

• Correction officers working in New York can earn an average income of $53,530 per annum.

Duties and responsibilities of corrections officer:

Correctional officers safeguard the prisons and they are also called as prison warden, guard of jail and detention officer.

They supervise prisoners in the prison who serve their sentence.

They need to keep jail safe and secure and see to that all facilities are good.

• Corrections officer have to maintain security and control the prisoners in prison.
• They need to supervise and are in charge of inmate housing units.
• Corrections are responsible for instructing inmates about keeping their units clean for continuing acceptable standards of sanitation.
• They need to allot new clothing and important personal affects to the prisoners.
• When any situation arises the correction officer should be able to control and maintain thorough discipline.
• Correctional officer need to frequently notice the contacts if prisoners have with the outside world and with each other in the prison.
• They need to inspect their mails to check for contraband material.
• They need to conduct patrolling regularly outside the institution to make sure security is prominent.
• They need to check prisoner’s visitors by screening them for any prohibited items and monitor them.
• Prisoners need to be under constant check when they are moved to new locations like food service area.
• Correction officers need to report if they find any signs of tension between prisoners in the prison which may lead to a fight.
• They need to perform many activities standing behind the scenes.
• They need to keep a record of equipment and supplies that are required for the prisoners.
• They need to establish perfectness in using and maintaining of firearms and restraint methods like handcuffs and guns, along with managing first-aid equipment.
• They need to know the usage of communication and other electronic equipment for prison facility.
• They need to make prisoners understand the usage and care for institutional equipment.
• They need to make sure that correct transportation permits are enforced and signed when transporting inmates from one place to another.

Who is a correction officer what is their job?

A correction officer is a person who takes care of persons who are waiting for trail. They work in prison and monitor people who have been sentenced for crime and hold the inmates accountable for their actions and reduce prisoner disturbances, escapes and attacks. They take care of these inmates outside and inside state, local, and federal prisons. Their main duty is to keep prison or jail secure. They need to bodyguard inmates form the cell to hospitals, dining rooms, chapels, class rooms and work areas. They even guard amateur activities to look for possible disturbances. They also patrol checking locks, bars, gates, buildings, grounds and any gates that are used for prisoners to escape. Sometimes they escort outside prison boundaries by taking them to court on ordered trips, jobs in the community and bring back the escapees to the prison those who violate promises. They are trained professionals in handcuffs or hand locks, usage of guns and other equipment to protect themselves.

These correctional officers are usually employed by state and local governments. Some can also pursue this career path in private employment detention centers. Correctional officers are also called as detention officers. These officers need to constantly check for the facilities for the prisoners like unsanitary conditions, smuggled, fire hazards, and any evidence of infractions of rules.  Along with these facilities they also check locks, window bars, doors, grills and gates for signs of meddling and inspect mails which inmates get and any prohibited items from the visitors. They need to submit orally and in written form the conduct of inmates and the quantity and the quality of work done by them. They maintain a daily log to maintain all these activities.  If any crime occurs in the prison or inmates escape they help the law enforcement authorities who are responsible and help in investigating or searching for the escapee. These law enforcement officers maintain safety in court rooms. They are also known as Bailiffs, court officers or marshals.