What Does It Take to Become a Correctional Officer?
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Correctional officers play a key role in public safety as overseers of jails and prisons. People interested in this role can get in with a high school diploma in most cases, along with certain training and skills. While it can be a mentally taxing profession, correctional officers enjoy generous benefits and job security.?
By overseeing detainees and prisoners, the 419,000 correctional officers in the United States fill an important role in the criminal justice system. For those interested in this career path, it is important to know what the career entails and how to best prepare for it.
What Is a Correctional Officer?
A correctional officer is responsible for monitoring people who are in a correctional facility. They work in jails and prisons, where they supervise people awaiting trial and inmates serving criminal sentences, respectively.
Their primary job is to ensure prisoners follow rules and stick to schedules. They conduct rounds to look for violations and supervise activities. When needed, they conduct searches to find contraband and inspections to spot faulty equipment. If prisoners need to leave the facility grounds, correctional officers will escort and transport them.
Correctional Officer Salaries & Job Growth
The median annual salary for correctional officers was $47,920 as of May 2021 , according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The annual salary for the lowest-paid 10% of officers was $34,600 or less, and the highest-paid 10% made $79,340 per year or more.
Prison reforms continue to reduce the need for correctional officers. Through 2031, the total number of correctional officers needed to fill all open positions will likely decline by 10%. However, retirements and employee turnover should lead to around 33,000 job openings for correctional officers annually.
Educational Paths to Become a Correctional Officer
Educational requirements for correctional officers vary. Roughly 89% of correctional officer jobs only require a high school diploma or the equivalent. Some employers require additional schooling and may offer higher pay to officers with some post-secondary education, such as completing one of the following programs.
Certificate Programs
A certificate program usually lasts for less than two years. Public community colleges and private trade and job training schools offer certificate programs in corrections and general law enforcement.
Associate's Degree in Corrections
About 2% of correctional officer jobs are open only to those with at least an associate degree. An associate degree in corrections usually requires two years of full-time study to complete. Coursework typically includes psychology, legal issues in corrections, cultural sensitivity, the root causes of crime and best practices for correctional officers.
Bachelor’s in Corrections or Criminal Justice
Federal prisons are the top-paying employers of correctional officers, according to the BLS. These facilities are generally more selective when hiring applicants. As a result, they typically only hire individuals who hold a bachelor's degree in criminal justice or a related field.
Bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice usually involve four years of full-time study. Degree requirements usually include core courses similar to those in associate degree programs. Students receive a well-rounded education by taking general education courses in English, mathematics, science and the arts.
Master’s in Criminal Justice
A master’s degree in criminal justice can open the door to supervisory positions within jails and prisons. Many public and private universities offer master’s programs for people working correctional officer jobs. These programs usually require only part-time study and grant degrees within one to three years, after acquiring a bachelor’s degree.
Online Programs & Degrees
Many trade schools, colleges and universities offer online programs and degrees in corrections and criminal justice. Online education often allows students to learn at their pace to earn certificates and degrees while working full-time and balancing their work-life responsibilities.
Some schools also offer hybrid programs . With hybrid learning, students take a mix of classroom-based and online courses. Alternatively, hybrid programs may combine online-only coursework with an in-person internship.
Step-by-Step Guide to Become a Correctional Officer
Although prerequisites for employment vary greatly among employers, correctional officers often follow the same basic steps to obtain employment. Let's take a look at the step-by-step process.
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1. Meet the Criteria
In addition to a bachelor's degree, federal prisons require candidates to have 1 to 3 years of full-time work experience supervising or counseling people. States set their requirements for working at state-run prisons and local jails. The International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training (IADLEST) search tool makes it simple to learn the criteria for each state.
Generally, correctional officers should meet a minimum age requirement, which is usually 18 to 21 years. They must also pass a criminal background check and drug test.
2. Obtain a Degree or Experience
Once a prospective correctional officer knows the requirements to strive for, they can gain the necessary certificate, degree or experience. When regulations require experience, candidates normally don't need specific work history in law enforcement. Previous employment as a supervisor in another industry, such as food service or retail may be adequate.
3. Pass the Entrance Exam
Most employers require correctional officers to complete a training course before starting work. To qualify for the training academy, would-be officers must usually pass an entrance exam. Typically, the exam includes a physical fitness component and a written examination that assesses a basic understanding of the law and interpersonal, reading and writing skills.
4. Complete a Training Course at an Approved Institution
Passing the entrance exam allows prospective correctional officers to attend Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) programs . The length of training varies from a few weeks to months.
During correctional officer training programs, students learn hands-on techniques for self-defense and restraining prisoners. They also learn how to de-escalate situations, interact positively with people from diverse backgrounds, and complete necessary documentation when incidents occur.
5. Graduate And Take a Sworn Oath
At the end of the POST course, cadets take a final examination that includes physical and written components. Those who pass graduate and take a sworn oath to protect and serve their communities.
Essential Skills for a Correctional Officer
A specific skill set can make a person more likely to succeed in a correctional officer job. Possessing the following skills may increase the chances of getting hired:
Benefits of Working as a Correctional Officer
Being a correctional officer is physically and emotionally demanding. However, those with the necessary skills and training can enjoy many benefits of working in the field, such as:
Final Thoughts on Becoming a Correctional Officer
When applying for correctional officer jobs, start by reviewing open positions. As Diana YK Chan , career coach at My Marketability explains , revising a resume first "is not effective when you’re not crystal clear on what you really want and haven’t done enough research to understand the hiring need. You’re writing from your own perspective instead of the employer’s perspective".
Tailoring a resume, cover letter and LinkedIn profile information to specific openings may increase the chances of finding employment. LinkedIn is a good starting point to become familiar with employers' needs for correctional officers in any region.
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(Reporting by NPD)