How to Become a Correctional Officer

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 term.

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 contraband items.
• 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.

Some local and state correction agencies 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.

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.

Correctional Officer Requirements by State

This table outlines the statewide requirements to become a correctional officer across all 50 U.S. states.

Note: The data reflects statewide standards and excludes county-specific variations.

Training

Some local, state, and federal departments of corrections will provide training for their correctional officers that is based on the guidelines that were founded by the ACA (American Correctional Association).

Some states 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 academic instruction, on-the-job training is provided by local and state correctional agencies.

This will include training on interpersonal relations and legal restrictions.

Many facilities 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 employment.

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.

Several certifications 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

According to the BLS, approximately 402,000 correctional officers are employed in the United States.

Some state and local correctional facilities have a high rate of turnover because of shift work (irregular hours) combined with low salaries.

Annual turnover in some states can exceed 25–30%, driven by stress, burnout, and safety concerns.

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.

Employment is projected to decline by 7% from 2022 to 2032 due to prison population trends and budget cuts.

Salary Information by State

Annual Average Salary: Top 10 States

California tops the list in this field, with an average salary of $91,470.

These are the leading 10 states in terms of earnings in the field:

About Michael Morales Michael is the Webmaster and Editor in Chief for Legalcareerpath.com. With a strong background in Web Publishing and Internet Marketing, he currently works as an independent consultant. A former paramedic and EMS educator, he enjoys punishing himself doing triathlons and endurance sports. Michael currently lives in sunny Northern California, home of the highest tax rates in the United States.