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.

Why would you want to be a correctional officer?

Good reasons to give include a desire to work in a rehabilitative environment where you have the opportunity to help people turn their lives around; put your skills and experience to good use and also work in an environment that is challenging and rewarding and where no two days are ever the same.

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.

What can you learn from being a correctional officer?

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.

Is it hard to be a correctional officer?

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.

What’s good about being a correctional officer.

How much does a correctional officer make?

The average salary for a correctional officer in the United States is around $41,701 per year.

Is a career in corrections worth it?

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.

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.

Are correctional officers happy?

Correctional officers are one of the least happy careers in the United States. ... As it turns out, correctional officers rate their career happiness 2.4 out of 5 stars which puts them in the bottom 4% of careers.

What should I say in a correctional officer interview?

• Can you tell me something about yourself? ...
• Why do you want to work as a correctional officers? ...
• What do you want to achieve on this position? ...
• Have you ever been to prison? ...
• Can you tell me something more about your working experience? ...
• Have you ever worked with inmates?

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 ...

How do corrections deal with stress?

Look for the upside or the positive in every situation, share your feelings with trusted others, and learn to let go of anger and resentments. If you regularly make time for fun and relaxation, you will be better equipped to handle stress. Try to do something you enjoy every day.

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 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.

What are the disadvantages of being a correctional officer?

Risks and Drawbacks

Stress and burnout come as part of the job and can affect your mental health. Furthermore, jail guards have a greater risk of chronic injury, high cholesterol, hypertension and heart disease compared to other law enforcement occupations.

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 do u become a correctional officer?

1. Be a U.S. citizen over 18 or 21 years old, depending on your state.
2. Have a high school diploma or a GED.
3. Pass written and physical exams.
4. Some agencies require some college education or relevant work experience.
5. Have no felony conviction.

Do correctional officers get paid good?

Average salary for corrections officers. The latest average salary numbers from the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics show: 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.

Who makes more money correctional officers or police officers?

As with police officers, there is expected to be growth for correctional officers with nearly 18,000 new jobs available by 2024. The median salary in 2016 was $42,820 with the top ten percent of earners in corrections making more than $74,000 per year.

What are the ranks in corrections?

This organizational structure is autocratic in nature and C.O.s are required to follow loyally a rigid chain of command that is organized in terms of military ranks: officer, sergeant, lieutenant, captain, and major. These ranks form a command and control structure that has the power located at the top.

Why do correctional officers get PTSD?

Corrections Officers and PTSD

Guards are exhausted, traumatized, and often ignored or shunned if they express any weariness or misgivings about the work they are required to do. As a result, COs have rates of post-traumatic stress disorder that are more than double the rate that military veterans experience.

What are the 7 most significant stressors faced by correctional officers?

Using the Occupational Research Questionnaire (ORQ), the stressors investigated were shift work, overtime demands, risk of being injured, not enough time with family, work overload and work underload, role conflict, lack of administrative support, lack of proper training, lack of participation in decision making, lack ...

What are the common stressors for correctional staff?

There is a consensus in the literature and among the interviewees regarding four aspects of correctional work that are stressful: the threat of inmate violence, actual inmate violence, inmate demands and attempts at manipulation, and problems with coworkers.