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Correctional Officer

(aka: Prison Officer, Jail Guard)

Out of sight, out of mind -- that's how most Americans think of the country's prison population. But a whopping 470,000 Correctional Officers are responsible for maintaining order in the U.S. prison system, which has the highest inmate population (over 2.2 Million!) in the world.

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What do Correctional Officers do?

• Supervise inmates, and enforce jail rules. Correctional Officers have the critical duty of maintaining order inside prison walls: what might start as a small skirmish among inmates can quickly spiral out of control.
• Search prisoners for contraband. Safety inside jails, both that of the prison staff and of other inmates, is a priority. Correctional Officers are the first line of defense in making sure contraband stays out.
• Prepare reports on inmate behavior. Not even Correctional Officers can escape some administrative duty. Reports are prepared to make sure that good behavior is incentivized, and bad behavior penalized.
• Aid in the rehabilitation of inmates. Rehabilitation, after all, is one of the goals of the prison system. Correctional Officers play a key role in ensuring that inmates will stay out of prison after their release.

CHECK OUT JOBSTR'S INTERACTIVE Q&A WITH A CORRECTIONAL OFFICER, AND ASK HIM ANYTHING!

How much do Correctional Officers make?

Despite an often thankless work environment, Correctional Officers salaries are above-average: the median national wage of a Correctional Officer in 2012 was $39,040, with the top 10% earning over $69,600.

How do I become a Correctional Officer?

Education Requirements. All agencies require a high school diploma, and federal prison systems usually require a Bachelor's Degree. Correctional Officers must also complete coursework at a training academy, after which they are assigned to a jail facility for on-the-job training.

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