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Correction Officers

(D.O.T.  372.367-014, .567-014, .667-018, and .677; and 375.367-010)

Nature of the Work

Correction officers are charged with the security and safety of
persons who have been arrested, are awaiting trial or other hearing,
or who have been convicted of a crime and sentenced to serve time in
a correctional institution.  Many correction officers guard
prisoners in small municipal jails or precinct station houses where
their responsibilities are wide ranging, while others control
inmates in large State and Federal prisons where job duties are more
specialized.  A relatively small number guard aliens being held by
the Immigration and Naturalization Service before being released or
deported.  Regardless of the setting, correction officers maintain
order within the institution, enforce rules and regulations, and
often supplement the counseling that inmates receive from
psychologists, social workers, and other mental health
professionals.

   To make sure inmates are orderly and obey rules, correction officers
monitor inmates' activities, including working, exercising, eating,
and bathing.  They assign and supervise inmates' work assignments,
as well as instruct and help them on specific tasks.  Sometimes it
is necessary to search inmates and their living quarters for weapons
or drugs, to settle disputes between inmates, and to enforce
discipline.  Correction officers cannot show favoritism and must
report any inmate who violates the rules.  To prevent escapes,
officers staff security positions in towers and at gates.  They
count inmates periodically to make sure all are present.

   Correction officers inspect the facilities to assure the safety and
security of the prisoners.  For example, they check cells and other
areas of the institution for unsanitary conditions, fire hazards,
and evidence of infractions of rules by inmates.  In addition, they
routinely inspect locks, window bars, grille doors, and gates for
signs of tampering.

   Correction officers report orally and in writing on inmate conduct
and on the quality and quantity of work done by inmates.  Officers
also report disturbances, violations of rules, and any unusual
occurrences.  They usually keep a daily record of their activities.
In some modern facilities, correction officers monitor the
activities of prisoners from a centralized control center with the
aid of closed circuit television cameras and a computer tracking
system.

   Within the institution, correction officers escort inmates to and
from cells and other areas and admit and accompany authorized
visitors.  They also escort prisoners between the institution and
courtrooms, medical facilities, and other points.  From time to
time, they may inspect mail for contraband (prohibited items),
administer first aid, or assist police authorities by investigating
crimes committed within the institution and by searching for escaped
inmates.

   Counseling and helping inmates with problems are increasingly
important parts of the correction officer's job.  Correctional
institutions usually employ psychologists and social workers to
counsel inmates, but correction officers informally supplement the
work of the professionals.  They may arrange a change in a daily
schedule so that an inmate can visit the library, help inmates get
news of their families, talk over personal problems that may have
led to committing a crime, or suggest where to look for a job after
release from prison.  In some institutions, officers receive
specialized training and have a more formal counseling role and may
lead or participate in group counseling sessions.

   Correction sergeants directly supervise correction officers.  They
usually are responsible for maintaining security and directing the
activities of a group of inmates during an assigned watch or in an
assigned area.

   Correction officers closely monitor inmates' activities.

Working Conditions

Correction officers may work indoors or outdoors, depending on their
specific duties.  Some indoor areas are well lighted, heated, and
ventilated, but others are overcrowded, hot, and noisy.  Outdoors,
weather conditions may be disagreeable, for example when standing
watch on a guard tower in cold weather.  Working in a correctional
institution can be stressful and hazardous; correction officers
occasionally have been injured or killed during inmate disturbances.

   Correction officers usually work an 8-hour day 5 days a week.
Prison security must be provided around the clock, which means some
officers work weekends, holidays, and nights.  In addition, officers
may frequently be required to work overtime.

Employment

Correction officers held about 282,000 jobs in 1992.  Six of every
10 worked at State correctional institutions such as prisons, prison
camps, and reformatories.  Most of the remainder worked at city and
county jails or other institutions run by local governments.  A few
thousand correction officers worked at Federal correctional
institutions.

   Most correction officers work in relatively large institutions
located in rural areas, although a significant number work in jails
and other smaller facilities located in cities and towns.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

Most institutions require that correction officers meet an 18- or
21-year age minimum, have a high school education or its equivalent,
and be a United States citizen.  In addition, correctional
institutions increasingly seek correction officers with
postsecondary education in psychology, criminology, and related
fields reflecting a continuing emphasis on personal counseling and
rehabilitation of inmates.

   Correction officers must be in good health.  Many States require
candidates to meet formal standards of physical fitness, eyesight,
and hearing.  Strength, good judgment, and the ability to think and
act quickly are assets.  Other common requirements include a
driver's license, work experience that demonstrates reliability, and
having no felony convictions.  Some States screen applicants for
drug abuse and require candidates to pass a written or oral
examination.

   Federal, State, and local departments of correction provide training
for correction officers based on guidelines established by the
American Correctional Association, the American Jail Association,
and other professional organizations.  Some States have special
training academies.  All States and local departments of correction
provide informal on-the-job training and advanced training as well.

   Academy trainees generally receive several weeks or months of
instruction on institutional policies, regulations, and operations;
counseling psychology, crisis intervention, inmate behavior, and
contraband control; custody and security procedures; fire and
safety; inmate rules and rights; administrative responsibilities;
written and oral communication, including preparation of reports;
self-defense, including the use of firearms; cardiopulmonary
resuscitation; and physical fitness training.  New Federal
correction officers undergo 2 weeks of training at their assigned
institutions followed by 3 weeks of basic correctional instruction
at the Federal Bureau of Prisons training center at Glynco, Georgia.
On-the-job trainees receive several weeks or months of similar
training in an actual job setting under an experienced officer.
Experienced officers receive inservice training to keep abreast of
new ideas and procedures.  Some complete home-study courses.

   Correction officers employed in Michigan must be certified.  The
criteria for certification are 340 hours of academy training and 15
hours of more advanced training that includes the law regarding
corrections; human growth and development; and prison organization.
Officers in Pennsylvania's 2-year apprenticeship program, which
provides 4 weeks of orientation, 4 weeks of training at its academy,
and 20 months of on-the-job training, receive certification from the
U.S.  Department of Labor.

   With additional education, experience, or training, qualified
officers may advance to correction sergeant or other supervisory,
administrative, or counseling positions.  Many correctional
institutions require experience as a correction officer for other
corrections positions.  Officers sometimes transfer to related
areas, such as probation and parole.

Job Outlook

Job opportunities for correction officers are expected to be
plentiful through the year 2005.  The need to replace correction
officers who transfer to other occupations or leave the labor force,
coupled with rising employment demand, will generate several tens of
thousands of job openings each year.  Correctional institutions have
traditionally experienced some difficulty in attracting qualified
applicants, and this situation is expected to continue, ensuring
highly favorable job prospects.

   Employment of correction officers is expected to increase much
faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2005 as
additional officers are hired to supervise and counsel a growing
inmate population.  Expansion and new construction of correctional
facilities also are expected to create many new jobs for correction
officers, although State and local government budgetary constraints
could affect the rate at which new facilities are built.  Increasing
public concern about the spread of illegal drugs resulting in more
convictions and the adoption of mandatory sentencing guidelines
calling for longer sentences and reduced parole for inmates also
will spur demand for correction officers.

   Layoffs of correction officers are rare because security must be
maintained in correctional institutions at all times.

Earnings

According to a survey by CONTAC, Inc., starting salaries of State
correction officers averaged about $18,600 a year in 1992, ranging
from $12,000 in Arkansas to $30,500 in New Jersey.  Salaries,
overall, averaged about $23,200 and ranged from $15,500 in Tennessee
to $38,600 in California.  Salaries generally were comparable for
correction officers working in jails and other county and municipal
correctional institutions.

   At the Federal level, the starting salary was about $18,300 a year
in 1993; supervisory correction officers started at about $40,300 a
year.  The 1993 average salary for all Federal nonsupervisory
correction officers was about $30,000; for supervisors, about
$53,000.

   Correction officers usually are provided uniforms or an allowance to
purchase their own.  Most are provided or can participate in
hospitalization or major medical insurance plans; many officers can
get disability and life insurance at group rates.  They also receive
vacation and sick leave and pension benefits.  Officers employed by
the Federal Government and most State governments are covered by
civil service systems or merit boards.  In over half of the States,
correction officers are represented by labor unions.

Related Occupations

A number of related careers are open to high school graduates who
are interested in the protective services and the field of security.
Bailiffs guard offenders and maintain order in courtrooms during
proceedings.  Bodyguards escort people and protect them from injury
or invasion of privacy.  House or store detectives patrol business
establishments to protect against theft and vandalism and to enforce
standards of good behavior.  Security guards protect government,
commercial, and industrial property against theft, vandalism,
illegal entry, and fire.  Police officers and deputy sheriffs
maintain law and order, prevent crime, and arrest offenders.

   Other corrections careers are open to persons interested in working
with offenders.  Probation and parole officers counsel offenders,
process their release from correctional institutions, and evaluate
their progress in becoming productive members of society.
Recreation leaders organize and instruct offenders in sports, games,
arts, and crafts.  Some of these related occupations are discussed
elsewhere in the Handbook.

Sources of Additional Information

   Information about entrance requirements, training, and career
opportunities for correction officers may be obtained from the
Federal Office of Personnel Management, Federal Bureau of Prisons,
State civil service commissions, State departments of correction, or
nearby correctional institutions and facilities.

   Information on corrections careers, as well as information about
schools that offer criminal justice education, financial assistance,
and where to find jobs, is available from:

   CEGA Services, Inc., P.O.  Box 81826, Lincoln, NE 68501-1826.

   Additional information on careers in corrections is available from:

   The American Correctional Association, 8025 Laurel Lakes Ct.,
Laurel, MD 20707.

   The American Probation and Parole Association, P.O Box 201,
Lexington, KY 40584.

   The International Association of Correctional Officers, Box 53, 1333
South Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60605.