Legal Professionals Working As Corrections Officers

Many corrections 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 penitentiaries, where job duties are more specialized. A relatively small number guard aliens who are being held by the Immigration and Naturalization Service awaiting release or deportation.

Regardless of the setting, corrections 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, corrections 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. Corrections 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.

Corrections 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.

Corrections officers report orally and in writing on inmate conduct and on the quality and quantity of work done by in-mates. Officers also report disturbances, violations of rules, and any unusual occurrences. They usually keep a daily record of their activities.

In some modern facilities, corrections 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, corrections 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 destinations. 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 corrections officer's job. Correctional institutions usually employ psychologists and social workers to counsel inmates, but corrections 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.

Corrections sergeants directly supervise corrections 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.

Corrections 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; corrections officers occasionally have been injured or killed during inmate disturbances.

Corrections officers usually work an eight-hour day, five 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.

Training

Most institutions require that corrections officers meet an eighteen- or twenty-one-year age minimum, have a high school education or its equivalent, and be a United States citizen. In addition, correctional institutions increasingly seek corrections officers with postsecondary education in psychology, criminology, and related fields, reflecting a continuing emphasis on personal counseling and rehabilitation of inmates.

Corrections 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 corrections 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 corrections officers undergo two weeks of training at their assigned institutions followed by three 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 in-service training to keep abreast of new ideas and procedures. Some complete home-study courses.

With additional education, experience, or training, qualified officers may advance to corrections sergeant or other supervisory, administrative, or counseling positions. Many correctional institutions require experience as a corrections officer for other corrections positions. Officers sometimes transfer to related areas, such as probation and parole.

Job Outlook

Job opportunities for corrections officers are expected to be plentiful and the need to replace corrections officers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force, coupled with rising employment demand, will generate 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 corrections officers is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations 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 corrections 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 corrections officers.

Layoffs of corrections officers are rare because security must be maintained in correctional institutions at all times.

Perks

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, corrections officers are represented by labor unions.