Correctional officers have the job of overseeing those individuals who are arrested and are waiting for trial or those who have been sentenced to jail, prison, or some other type of reformatory terms.
Correctional officers work in correctional institutions, which can be hazardous and quite stressful at times.
This position has a high rate of nonfatal injuries.
Some of the duties of a correctional officer include:
- Enforcing the rules and keeping order within prisons or jails.
- Supervising the activities of the inmates.
- Help in the counseling and rehabilitation of offenders.
- Inspecting the conditions of the facilities to make sure that they meet the standards that have been established.
- Searching inmates for items that are contraband.
- Reporting on the conduct of the inmates.
Becoming a Correctional Officer
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), correctional officers normally must be at least 18 to 21 years of age, must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, and must have no felony convictions.
In addition, new applicants for federal corrections positions must be appointed before they are 37 years of age.
In order to become a correctional officer a person will need to have graduated from high school or have an equivalent to a high school diploma.
There are some local and state correction agencies that will require a person applying for a position as a correctional officer to have some college credits.
Often, military experience or law enforcement experience can be substituted for these requirements.
Department of Corrections
A person who wishes to work as a correctional officer in a federal prison will have to obtain a bachelor’s degree and also have three years of experience working full-time in a field that involves offering assistance, supervision, or counseling to people.
Training
Some local, state, and federal departments of correction will provide training for their correctional officers that is based on the guidelines that were founded by the ACA (American Correctional Association).
There are some states that have regional training academies available for their local agencies.
During this training, an individual will receive instruction on a variety of subjects including regulations, institutional policies, operations, and security and custody procedures.
Once an individual has completed the formal academy instruction, on-the-job training is provided by local and state correctional agencies.
This will include training on interpersonal relations and legal restrictions.
There are many facilities that will provide self-defense training as well as firearms proficiency to their correctional officer trainees.
A new correctional officer at a federal facility is required to undergo formal training for 200 hours throughout their initial year of being employed.
This includes 120 hours of training that takes place at the United States Federal Bureau of Prisons training center.
Officers who have been on the job for a while receive in-service training each year to keep up with new procedures and developments.
Career Advancement
One option for someone interested in this field is to become a part of the prison tactical response team.
These individuals are trained on how to respond in hostage situations, riots, and other disturbances that could be potentially dangerous.
There are a number of certifications that help further a correctional officer’s career.
A person who qualifies may advance into the correctional sergeant position.
The correctional sergeant is responsible for directing the activities of the other officers and maintaining security throughout the facility.
There are also administrative positions and supervisory positions available for those correctional officers who qualify.
Job Prospects
There are some state and local correctional facilities that have a high rate of turnover because of shift work combined with low salaries.
This is in combination with the stress of the job.
There should be many job openings in this field based on individuals transferring to other positions, retiring, or leaving the labor force.
Salary Information by State
| State | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4,840 | $44,450 | $21.37 | $63,170 | $28,200 |
| Alaska | 1,170 | $73,400 | $35.29 | $96,760 | $53,830 |
| Arizona | 13,260 | $54,330 | $26.12 | $64,880 | $45,620 |
| Arkansas | 4,590 | $41,290 | $19.85 | $51,670 | $29,760 |
| California | 33,740 | $88,550 | $42.57 | $108,120 | $62,590 |
| Colorado | 6,610 | $61,140 | $29.40 | $83,700 | $48,870 |
| Connecticut | 3,620 | $60,050 | $28.87 | $67,290 | $51,080 |
| Delaware | 1,610 | $52,560 | $25.27 | $65,450 | $40,680 |
| Florida | 18,890 | $50,820 | $24.44 | $71,840 | $38,730 |
| Georgia | 10,040 | $43,190 | $20.76 | $53,910 | $32,660 |
| Hawaii | 1,280 | $65,410 | $31.45 | $74,940 | $55,870 |
| Idaho | 1,800 | $51,620 | $24.82 | $67,970 | $42,120 |
| Illinois | 12,070 | $66,430 | $31.94 | $90,970 | $47,490 |
| Indiana | 6,870 | $46,000 | $22.11 | $58,680 | $37,960 |
| Iowa | 3,230 | $52,420 | $25.20 | $64,460 | $42,500 |
| Kansas | 3,270 | $43,440 | $20.88 | $53,010 | $36,250 |
| Kentucky | 6,330 | $40,830 | $19.63 | $61,640 | $28,820 |
| Louisiana | 6,950 | $41,480 | $19.94 | $58,800 | $28,420 |
| Maine | 990 | $48,480 | $23.31 | $57,280 | $39,650 |
| Maryland | 5,950 | $61,000 | $29.33 | $73,960 | $50,540 |
| Massachusetts | 5,950 | $77,260 | $37.14 | $90,540 | $59,530 |
| Michigan | 7,790 | $58,460 | $28.10 | $67,870 | $43,040 |
| Minnesota | 4,980 | $59,990 | $28.84 | $77,730 | $46,030 |
| Mississippi | 4,530 | $37,000 | $17.79 | $48,630 | $25,330 |
| Missouri | 5,500 | $40,750 | $19.59 | $47,700 | $33,270 |
| Montana | 1,190 | $48,660 | $23.39 | $61,790 | $38,640 |
| Nebraska | 3,010 | $58,250 | $28.01 | $69,080 | $44,550 |
| Nevada | 3,100 | $67,930 | $32.66 | $101,450 | $46,220 |
| New Hampshire | 730 | $54,890 | $26.39 | $72,150 | $40,840 |
| New Jersey | 8,540 | $81,900 | $39.38 | $99,490 | $50,120 |
| New Mexico | 3,230 | $42,660 | $20.51 | $51,020 | $35,590 |
| New York | 26,080 | $74,580 | $35.86 | $108,930 | $55,210 |
| North Carolina | 12,140 | $46,830 | $22.51 | $58,080 | $37,670 |
| North Dakota | 1,020 | $50,660 | $24.36 | $60,970 | $40,300 |
| Ohio | 12,560 | $55,540 | $26.70 | $63,770 | $43,070 |
| Oklahoma | 3,910 | $43,110 | $20.73 | $53,060 | $29,820 |
| Oregon | 4,330 | $73,930 | $35.54 | $90,490 | $54,910 |
| Pennsylvania | 15,250 | $61,410 | $29.52 | $80,160 | $43,750 |
| South Carolina | 4,740 | $44,940 | $21.61 | $61,650 | $36,070 |
| South Dakota | 1,210 | $50,500 | $24.28 | $62,360 | $38,330 |
| Tennessee | 8,300 | $47,050 | $22.62 | $61,170 | $32,960 |
| Texas | 35,570 | $49,540 | $23.82 | $60,010 | $41,660 |
| Utah | 1,810 | $59,790 | $28.75 | $73,340 | $41,720 |
| Vermont | 410 | $52,030 | $25.02 | $64,540 | $41,600 |
| Virginia | 10,390 | $49,900 | $23.99 | $63,520 | $42,000 |
| Washington | 6,250 | $66,040 | $31.75 | $89,130 | $50,090 |
| West Virginia | 2,590 | $49,970 | $24.02 | $72,050 | $33,200 |
| Wisconsin | 6,500 | $61,590 | $29.61 | $75,030 | $49,690 |
| Wyoming | 840 | $51,210 | $24.62 | $62,220 | $41,930 |
Annual Average Salary: Top 10 States
The top earning state in the field is California, where the average salary is $88,550.
These are the top 10 earning states in the field:
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Correctional officers are essential to the criminal justice system, contributing to public safety by ensuring the safe and humane confinement of individuals who have been incarcerated.
It’s important to acknowledge that working as a correctional officer can be physically and mentally demanding too.
One of the great aspects of this career is the stability it offers, with many opportunities for advancement within the corrections field.