A career as a corrections officer can provide you with a stable career and decent salary with benefits, but it also carries some risks. The BLS states that corrections officers can be injured during confrontations with inmates and they have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses out of all occupations.

Is being a Correctional Officer a good career?

The position of Correctional Officer is challenging and diverse in nature, requirements and rewards. While the environment can be difficult due to the supervision requirements of current offenders, it can be very rewarding when assisting the same offenders in achieving a resolution to the same supervision requirements.

Why you shouldn't be a Correctional Officer?

Furthermore, jail guards have a greater risk of chronic injury, high cholesterol, hypertension and heart disease compared to other law enforcement occupations. Work conflicts, fatigue, heavy workload and inadequate resources all contribute to stress among correctional officers.

Is Correctional Officer a bad job?

Working in a prison or detention center as a corrections officer is considered the worst job in the United States. ... Correctional officer jobs are considered one of the worst jobs in America, according to a 2018 ranking by CareerCast. Corrections offers have among the highest injury and illness rates.

What are the pros and cons of being a Correctional Officer?

• Pro: Pay and Benefits. The average annual salary of a state correctional officer is $38,380 and $53,459 for Federal positions. ...
• Pro: Job Security. ...
• Con: Long Training. ...
• Con: Danger. ...
• Con: Poor Working Conditons. ...
• Con: Working Holidays and Odd Shifts.

5 Things you REALLY need to KNOW before Becoming a Correctional Officer

What is the hardest part of being a correctional officer?

Officers are also responsible for escorting inmates to and from cells, recreation, visiting, and dining areas. ... “The hardest part to this job,” says corrections officer Sherry Lane, “is being able to separate yourself from some of the inhumanities that you see inside of the prison.

What is the average life expectancy of a correctional officer?

A recent study of the consequences of job stress in correctional officers revealed that the life expectancy of a correctional officer is 59 years, compared to 75 years for the national average.

How many hours a week do correctional officers work?

Correctional Officers work on average 38 hours per week on rotating shift roster.

What is the biggest problem in corrections today?

Some major contemporary issues resulting from these social, economic and environmental changes facing correctional administrators include the changing trend in prison population, overcrowding in correctional facilities, improvement of prison conditions, increase of drug-related offenders, shortage of effective ...

What are the pros of being a correctional officer?

In addition to making more than the national average income, correctional officer benefits can include medical and dental insurance, retirement plans, overtime and shift differential pay, and paid military leave. Some business establishments offer police discounts to thank officers for their community service.

Are correctional officers rich?

The median annual wage for correctional officers and jailers was $47,410 in May 2020. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $32,830, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $81,940. Local correctional officers make an average of $47,290 yearly. State correctional officers make an average of $46,800 yearly.

How stressful is being a correctional officer?

Correctional officers are exposed to a high degree of stress every day. Working long shifts behind walls day in and day out can and does take a toll. Statistics show that correctional officers have higher rates of divorce, PTSD, severe depression and suicide.

What is the divorce rate for correctional officers?

Supervisors of correctional officers – Similar to dispatchers, first-line supervisors of correctional officers experience a high level of stress, which makes them feel unhappy outside of work, including in their marriages. The divorce rate is 46.9%.

Is it easy to become a correctional officer?

The training is intensive and very demanding. It involves face-to-face program delivery, weapons training and survival training.

Can an inmate be allowed to marry?

The answer is yes—most U.S. prisons allow their prisoners to get married. Certain restrictions apply to particular correctional institutions and inmates.

What are today's prisons like?

Prisons today are very different. Severe overcrowding is now the major problem in most prisons. Cells originally built for one prisoner, now often house two or three men. ... In addition, tensions among prisoners and between prisoners and the prison staff often run high and lead to brutal attacks.

What is the most common mental illness in prisons?

Depression was the most prevalent mental health condition reported by inmates, followed by mania, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Mental health conditions were reported more frequently among prisoners in state institutions.

What do correctional officers do at night?

So know your count times, round times and checks — this is a majority of the duties on overnights. Other duties may include medical checks, meal check and preparation for transportation for court or off property events.

What do correctional officers learn?

You'll learn interpersonal skills and how to give directions to inmates in a firm manner, how to communicate with your fellow officers and supervisors, and how to speak to guests at the facility. You'll also work on developing a writing style that clearly and concisely presents information.

Do Correctional officers wear uniforms?

All Correctional Services employees, Correctional Systems employees, and Correctional Counselors will normally wear the work uniform. ... All Correctional Services employees, Correctional Systems employees, and Correctional Counselors who wear the work uniform must have at least one complete dress uniform.

How many correctional officers were killed?

There were 113 correctional officer fatalities reported — the fatality rate was 2.7 per 100,000. On average 11 work-related fatalities were reported per year. Assaults and violent acts accounted for 80 percent of all fatalities.

Do correctional officers get PTSD?

Corrections Officers and PTSD

As a result, COs have rates of post-traumatic stress disorder that are more than double the rate that military veterans experience. ... Spinaris found that 34 percent of corrections officers met the criteria for PTSD; by comparison, 14 percent of military veterans experience those symptoms.

What is correctional fatigue?

The field of corrections has some very unique stressors which can ultimately build up in staff over time to cause corrections fatigue. ... Desert Waters defines corrections fatigue as “cumulative negative changes of corrections staff's personality, health and functioning, and of the corrections workplace culture”.

What do correctional officers do in a day?

Escort inmates from the jail to outside destinations, such as court or medical facilities. Conduct regular inspections of all doors, locks, and security equipment. Conduct searches of inmates, cells, and visitors to ensure contraband is not present. Conduct regular inspections of cells and common areas.