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Significant Points
- The work can be stressful and hazardous; correctional officers have one of the highest rates of nonfatal on-the-job injuries.
- Most jobs are in State and local government prisons and jails.
- Job opportunities are expected to be favorable.
Nature of the Work
Correctional officers, also known as detention officers when they work in pretrial detention facilities, are responsible for overseeing individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or who have been convicted of a crime and sentenced to serve time in a jail, reformatory, or penitentiary. The jail population changes constantly as some prisoners are released, some are convicted and transferred to prison, and new offenders are arrested and enter the system. Correctional officers in local jails admit and process about 13 million people a year, with nearly 800,000 offenders in jail at any given time. Correctional officers in State and Federal prisons watch over the approximately 1.6 million offenders who are incarcerated there at any given time. Typically, offenders serving time at county jails are sentenced to a year or less. Those serving a year or more are usually housed in state or federal prisons.
Correctional officers maintain security and inmate accountability to prevent disturbances, assaults, and escapes. Officers have no law enforcement responsibilities outside of the institution where they work.
Regardless of the setting, correctional officers maintain order within the institution and enforce rules and regulations. To help ensure that inmates are orderly and obey rules, correctional officers monitor the activities and supervise the work assignments of inmates. Sometimes, officers must search inmates and their living quarters for contraband like weapons or drugs, settle disputes between inmates, and enforce discipline. Correctional officers periodically inspect the facilities, checking cells and other areas of the institution for unsanitary conditions, contraband, fire hazards, and any evidence of infractions of rules. In addition, they routinely inspect locks, window bars, grilles, doors, and gates for signs of tampering. Finally, officers inspect mail and visitors for prohibited items.
Correctional officers report orally and in writing on inmate conduct and on the quality and quantity of work done by inmates. Officers also report security breaches, disturbances, violations of rules, and any unusual occurrences. They usually keep a daily log or record of their activities. Correctional officers cannot show favoritism and must report any inmate who violates the rules. If a crime is committed within their institution or an inmate escapes, they help the responsible law enforcement authorities investigate or search for the escapee. In jail and prison facilities with direct supervision of cellblocks, officers work unarmed. They are equipped with communications devices so that they can summon help if necessary. These officers often work in a cellblock alone, or with another officer, among the 50 to 100 inmates who reside there. The officers enforce regulations primarily through their interpersonal communication skills and through the use of progressive sanctions, such as the removal of some privileges.
In the highest security facilities, where the most dangerous inmates are housed, correctional officers often monitor the activities of prisoners from a centralized control center with closed-circuit television cameras and a computer tracking system. In such an environment, the inmates may not see anyone but officers for days or weeks at a time and may leave their cells only for showers, solitary exercise time, or visitors. Depending on the offenders' security classification, correctional officers may have to restrain inmates in handcuffs and leg irons to safely escort them to and from cells and other areas and to see authorized visitors. Officers also escort prisoners between the institution and courtrooms, medical facilities, and other destinations.
Bailiffs, also known as marshals or court officers, are law enforcement officers who maintain safety and order in courtrooms. Their duties, which vary by location, include enforcing courtroom rules, assisting judges, guarding juries from outside contact, delivering court documents, and providing general security for courthouses.
Work environment. Working in a correctional institution can be stressful and hazardous. Every year, correctional officers are injured in confrontations with inmates. Correctional officers and jailers have one of the highest rates of nonfatal on-the-job injuries. First-line supervisors/managers of correctional officers also face the risk of work-related injury. Correctional officers may work indoors or outdoors. Some correctional institutions are well lighted, temperature controlled, and ventilated, but others are old, overcrowded, hot, and noisy. Although both jails and prisons can be dangerous places to work, prison populations are more stable than jail populations, and correctional officers in prisons know the security and custodial requirements of the prisoners with whom they are dealing. Consequently, they tend to be safer places to work.
Correctional officers usually work an 8-hour day, 5 days a week, on rotating shifts. Some correctional facilities have longer shifts and more days off between scheduled work weeks. Because prison and jail security must be provided around the clock, officers work all hours of the day and night, weekends, and holidays. In addition, officers may be required to work paid overtime.
Correctional Officer, GS-0007-06
This is a developmental level. GS-6 correctional officers receive classroom instruction and on-the-job training in the philosophy, methods, and techniques of corrections and of the correctional officer's role within the correctional system. Formal instruction includes such topics as: nature and purpose of correctional institutions; institutional organization; human behavior and interpersonal relations; standards of conduct; security requirements; legal requirements regarding the rights of inmates and the collection and preservation of evidence for use in court proceedings; etc. On-the-job training includes rotational assignments to various posts to observe and put into practice the methods and techniques learned in the orientation. Initial assignments are typically to posts with a minimum of contact with inmates. As correctional officers gain experience and confidence, assignments are expanded to include direct custody and supervision of inmate groups.Correctional Officer, GS-0007-07
In comparison with GS-6 correctional officers who receive on-the-job training in the various post assignments, Correctional Officers GS-7 independently perform, typically on a rotational basis, a variety of moderately difficult assignments. Such assignments require proficiency in the application of correctional skills in supervising inmate activities on work details, in recreational activities, in living quarters during morning or day watches, etc. These assignments involve regular contacts with individual or small groups of inmates. They allow significant opportunity for correctional officers to motivate inmates to acceptable behavior. The assignments involve advising and counseling inmates regarding adjustment to institution life, resolution of personal problems, and acceptance of professional assistance in the rehabilitative process.The following are examples of GS-7 correctional officer assignments (these examples are illustrative of grade-level concepts and are not intended to limit the types of assignments at the GS-7 level):
- Immediate supervision of small (e.g., 10 inmates) work details such as grounds maintenance, road building, etc.;
- Direct supervision of inmates in living quarters during the day watch where the number of inmates at anyone time is small, or on the morning watch when the inmates either are sleeping or have prescribed activities;
- Supervision of groups of inmates during outside activities, e.g., recreation, free time, etc., when the situation allows officer-inmate contacts on a regular basis.
Correctional Officer, GS-0007-08
GS-8 correctional officers regularly perform a variety of very difficult assignments in a correctional institution. Such assignments, based on the recognition of superior correctional skills of the incumbent, require the judgment, maturity, and knowledge of inmate behavior developed through experience gained in a wide variety of assignments.GS-8 correctional officers typically supervise groups of inmates in situations that are critical to the effectiveness of the correctional treatment program and to the efficient operation of the institution. Assignments involve contacts with inmates that present substantially continuous opportunity for the officer to use his extensive experience and superior correctional skills and abilities in influencing the attitudes and motivation of offenders towards socially acceptable behavior and in adapting to the institution environment and rehabilitation programs.
The following are examples of GS-8 correctional officer assignments (these examples are illustrative of grade-level concepts and are not intended to limit the types of assignments at the GS-8 level):
- Custody of newly committed offenders with responsibility for developing information through interview and observation and making recommendations regarding quarters assignments, work assignments, security classification, and individual program goals. The officer gives inmates a complete orientation in the procedures and expectations of the institution. This initial contact between an inmate and the correctional force is vital in influencing the offender's behavior and rehabilitation during his entire stay at the institution.
- Direct responsibility for supervising the activities of inmates in quarters during the evening period when he must effectively control a large group under relaxed, less regulated conditions. In some instances, he is assisted by one or two correctional officers of lower grade. In addition to encouraging constructive activities and maintaining discipline and security, the GS-8 correctional officer uses the relaxed atmosphere to talk with individuals and small groups to resolve problems, to stimulate cooperation, and to establish positive correctional attitudes.
- Coordination of work release and/or study release programs with responsibility for making satisfactory arrangements for meeting the needs of inmates while outside the institution, such as finances, transportation, etc.; maintaining contacts with employers to be aware of problems that may develop; and counseling inmates on any work, school, or personal problems that might complicate the offender's rehabilitation.
- Direct responsibility for supervising inmates with particularly serious behavior problems (e.g., assaultive, unmanageable, deviant sexual behavior) who are in a segregation status. The officer has the opportunity, because of the lack of mobility of the inmates, to spend considerable time in attempting to recognize and understand their correctional problems. He helps them understand the undesirability of their behavior and the advantages of more acceptable attitudes, and generally attempts to create and maintain a correctional, rather than a punitive, atmosphere.
Correctional Officer, GS-0007-09
Correctional Officers GS-9 perform functions requiring the application of technical treatment and/or counseling skills and techniques acquired through formal and supervised practical training. These skills and techniques are normally associated with services provided by professionals in social work or the behavioral sciences. However, the GS-9 correctional officer applies a practical knowledge of the specific techniques under the guidance of professional workers, without the broad theoretical knowledges and insights acquired through professional education and training. In comparison, the GS-8 correctional officer attempts to influence the attitudes of offenders towards acceptable behavior using correctional skills developed through personal experience and concentrated training in dealing with offenders, rather than by the use of more formalized methods.Assignments at this level are typically in direct support of structured treatment or rehabilitation programs. They may be in a correctional institution or in a correctional setting outside the institution, such as a community treatment center. Working within the framework of program goals and methodology established by professional workers, the GS-9 officer applies these techniques and his extensive correctional experience to establish effective communication with the offender and help him recognize and resolve problems relating to himself, his family, and the community environment. He aids the inmate to appraise his problems realistically and to understand and accept his limitations and capabilities. In some situations, the GS-9 officer also deals with individuals outside the correctional system, such as teachers, supervisors, family, etc., to identify further problems and enlist their aid in resolving them.
The following are examples of GS-9 correctional officer assignments (these examples are illustrative of grade-level concepts and are not intended to limit the types of assignments at the GS-level):
- Serves as a correctional counselor in a specialized treatment program for inmates addicted to narcotics. As a full member of the treatment team, the GS-9 officer makes recommendations and participates in decisions concerning the operation of the treatment program. He conducts group therapy sessions, dormitory and community meetings, self-help sessions, or other formal activities required by the particular program. He works with an assigned caseload of individual inmates to provide a variety of services. These services include individual counseling on problems confronting offenders in general, and addicts in particular; writing or assisting inmates in writing correspondence; arranging for special visits outside the institution, such as emergency home visits; approving visitor and correspondence lists; etc. Serves as liaison between treatment program staff and other institutional staff members (i.e., correctional force, educational, vocational, etc.) to provide detailed information on problems concerning individual inmates who are included in his caseload. In performing these duties, the GS-9 correctional officer uses the skills and techniques learned from classroom and supervised practical training by professional psychiatrists, psychologists, and social workers in such areas as group counseling techniques, "Therapeutic Community" techniques, transactional analysis, reality therapy, sensitivity training, and personal interviewing.
- Serves as a counselor in a Community Treatment Center providing a program of rehabilitation and reintegration into the free community. In this setting, GS-9 correctional officers are typically assigned a caseload of offenders for which they provide counseling and assistance on a wide range of problems, under the general guidance of the Center Director and/or professional social worker. The work involves such functions as obtaining background information through personal interview; explaining the services that the Center can provide; counseling offenders (and their families when available) on work, family, personal adjustment and other problems; referring offenders to sources of additional help in the community; maintaining contacts with employers to attempt to resolve problems before they interfere with the offenders' progress; and conducting group discussions among residents of the Center on common difficulties encountered in the free community and the ways in which to deal with these difficulties and overcome them. GS-9 correctional officers in this type of assignment utilize a knowledge of behavioral characteristics of offenders developed through extensive experience in working with and counseling inmates. In addition, they apply counseling techniques and a knowledge of community resources attained through formalized training and practical experience under the guidance and supervision of professional social workers.
Related Occupations
Other protective service occupations include:
Sources of Additional Information
Further information about correctional officers is available from:
- American Correctional Association, 206 N. Washington St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314. Internet: http://www.aca.org/
- American Jail Association, 1135 Professional Ct., Hagerstown, MD 21740. Internet: http://www.corrections.com/aja
- Information on entrance requirements, training, and career opportunities for correctional officers at the Federal level may be obtained from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Internet: http://www.bop.gov/
Sources:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition;
- Office of Personnel Management, Position Classification Standards; and
- Dreamfedjob.com
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