Correction officers are charged with the security and safety of persons who have been arrested, are awaiting trial or other hearing, or who have been convicted of a crime and sentenced to serve time in a correctional institution. Many correction officers guard prisoners in small municipal jails or precinct station houses where their responsibilities are wide ranging, while others control inmates in large State and Federal prisons where job duties are more specialized. A relatively small number guard aliens being held by the Immigration and Naturalization Service before being released or deported. Regardless of the setting, correction officers maintain order within the institution, enforce rules and regulations, and often supplement the counseling that inmates receive from psychologists, social workers, and other mental health professionals.
To make sure inmates are orderly and obey rules, correction officers monitor inmates' activities, including working, exercising, eating, and bathing. They assign and supervise inmates' work assignments, as well as instruct and help them on specific tasks. Sometimes it is necessary to search inmates and their living quarters for weapons or drugs, to settle disputes between inmates, and to enforce discipline. Correction officers cannot show favoritism and must report any inmate who violates the rules. To prevent escapes, officers staff security positions in towers and at gates. They count inmates periodically to make sure all are present.
Correction officers inspect the facilities to assure the safety and security of the prisoners. For example, they check cells and other areas of the institution for unsanitary conditions, fire hazards, and evidence of infractions of rules by inmates. In addition, they routinely inspect locks, window bars, grille doors, and gates for signs of tampering.
Correction officers report orally and in writing on inmate conduct and on the quality and quantity of work done by inmates. Officers also report disturbances, violations of rules, and any unusual occurrences. They usually keep a daily record of their activities. In some modern facilities, correction officers monitor the activities of prisoners from a centralized control center with the aid of closed circuit television cameras and a computer tracking system.
Within the institution, correction officers escort inmates to and from cells and other areas and admit and accompany authorized visitors. They also escort prisoners between the institution and courtrooms, medical facilities, and other points. From time to time, they may inspect mail for contraband (prohibited items), administer first aid, or assist police authorities by investigating crimes committed within the institution and by searching for escaped inmates.
Counseling and helping inmates with problems are increasingly important parts of the correction officer's job. Correctional institutions usually employ psychologists and social workers to counsel inmates, but correction officers informally supplement the work of the professionals. They may arrange a change in a daily schedule so that an inmate can visit the library, help inmates get news of their families, talk over personal problems that may have led to committing a crime, or suggest where to look for a job after release from prison. In some institutions, officers receive specialized training and have a more formal counseling role and may lead or participate in group counseling sessions.
Correction sergeants directly supervise correction officers. They usually are responsible for maintaining security and directing the activities of a group of inmates during an assigned watch or in an assigned area.
Correction officers closely monitor inmates' activities.
Correction officers may work indoors or outdoors, depending on their specific duties. Some indoor areas are well lighted, heated, and ventilated, but others are overcrowded, hot, and noisy. Outdoors, weather conditions may be disagreeable, for example when standing watch on a guard tower in cold weather. Working in a correctional institution can be stressful and hazardous; correction officers occasionally have been injured or killed during inmate disturbances.
Correction officers usually work an 8-hour day 5 days a week. Prison security must be provided around the clock, which means some officers work weekends, holidays, and nights. In addition, officers may frequently be required to work overtime.
Correction officers held about 282,000 jobs in 1992. Six of every 10 worked at State correctional institutions such as prisons, prison camps, and reformatories. Most of the remainder worked at city and county jails or other institutions run by local governments. A few thousand correction officers worked at Federal correctional institutions.
Most correction officers work in relatively large institutions located in rural areas, although a significant number work in jails and other smaller facilities located in cities and towns.
Most institutions require that correction officers meet an 18- or 21-year age minimum, have a high school education or its equivalent, and be a United States citizen. In addition, correctional institutions increasingly seek correction officers with postsecondary education in psychology, criminology, and related fields reflecting a continuing emphasis on personal counseling and rehabilitation of inmates.
Correction officers must be in good health. Many States require candidates to meet formal standards of physical fitness, eyesight, and hearing. Strength, good judgment, and the ability to think and act quickly are assets. Other common requirements include a driver's license, work experience that demonstrates reliability, and having no felony convictions. Some States screen applicants for drug abuse and require candidates to pass a written or oral examination.
Federal, State, and local departments of correction provide training for correction officers based on guidelines established by the American Correctional Association, the American Jail Association, and other professional organizations. Some States have special training academies. All States and local departments of correction provide informal on-the-job training and advanced training as well.
Academy trainees generally receive several weeks or months of instruction on institutional policies, regulations, and operations; counseling psychology, crisis intervention, inmate behavior, and contraband control; custody and security procedures; fire and safety; inmate rules and rights; administrative responsibilities; written and oral communication, including preparation of reports; self-defense, including the use of firearms; cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and physical fitness training. New Federal correction officers undergo 2 weeks of training at their assigned institutions followed by 3 weeks of basic correctional instruction at the Federal Bureau of Prisons training center at Glynco, Georgia. On-the-job trainees receive several weeks or months of similar training in an actual job setting under an experienced officer. Experienced officers receive inservice training to keep abreast of new ideas and procedures. Some complete home-study courses.
Correction officers employed in Michigan must be certified. The criteria for certification are 340 hours of academy training and 15 hours of more advanced training that includes the law regarding corrections; human growth and development; and prison organization. Officers in Pennsylvania's 2-year apprenticeship program, which provides 4 weeks of orientation, 4 weeks of training at its academy, and 20 months of on-the-job training, receive certification from the U.S. Department of Labor.
With additional education, experience, or training, qualified officers may advance to correction sergeant or other supervisory, administrative, or counseling positions. Many correctional institutions require experience as a correction officer for other corrections positions. Officers sometimes transfer to related areas, such as probation and parole.
Job opportunities for correction officers are expected to be plentiful through the year 2005. The need to replace correction officers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force, coupled with rising employment demand, will generate several tens of thousands of job openings each year. Correctional institutions have traditionally experienced some difficulty in attracting qualified applicants, and this situation is expected to continue, ensuring highly favorable job prospects.
Employment of correction officers is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005 as additional officers are hired to supervise and counsel a growing inmate population. Expansion and new construction of correctional facilities also are expected to create many new jobs for correction officers, although State and local government budgetary constraints could affect the rate at which new facilities are built. Increasing public concern about the spread of illegal drugs resulting in more convictions and the adoption of mandatory sentencing guidelines calling for longer sentences and reduced parole for inmates also will spur demand for correction officers.
Layoffs of correction officers are rare because security must be maintained in correctional institutions at all times.
According to a survey by CONTAC, Inc., starting salaries of State correction officers averaged about $18,600 a year in 1992, ranging from $12,000 in Arkansas to $30,500 in New Jersey. Salaries, overall, averaged about $23,200 and ranged from $15,500 in Tennessee to $38,600 in California. Salaries generally were comparable for correction officers working in jails and other county and municipal correctional institutions.
At the Federal level, the starting salary was about $18,300 a year in 1993; supervisory correction officers started at about $40,300 a year. The 1993 average salary for all Federal nonsupervisory correction officers was about $30,000; for supervisors, about $53,000.
Correction officers usually are provided uniforms or an allowance to purchase their own. Most are provided or can participate in hospitalization or major medical insurance plans; many officers can get disability and life insurance at group rates. They also receive vacation and sick leave and pension benefits. Officers employed by the Federal Government and most State governments are covered by civil service systems or merit boards. In over half of the States, correction officers are represented by labor unions.
A number of related careers are open to high school graduates who are interested in the protective services and the field of security. Bailiffs guard offenders and maintain order in courtrooms during proceedings. Bodyguards escort people and protect them from injury or invasion of privacy. House or store detectives patrol business establishments to protect against theft and vandalism and to enforce standards of good behavior. Security guards protect government, commercial, and industrial property against theft, vandalism, illegal entry, and fire. Police officers and deputy sheriffs maintain law and order, prevent crime, and arrest offenders.
Other corrections careers are open to persons interested in working with offenders. Probation and parole officers counsel offenders, process their release from correctional institutions, and evaluate their progress in becoming productive members of society. Recreation leaders organize and instruct offenders in sports, games, arts, and crafts. Some of these related occupations are discussed elsewhere in the Handbook.
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Reprinted with Permission of U. S. Department of Labor