Corrections Officer Job Description & Career Outlook
Corrections Officers, also known as Correctional Officers and Detention Deputies, are responsible for supervising people who either have been arrested and are being held for trial or have been convicted of a crime and are serving a sentence in a jail, reformatory, or penitentiary. Corrections officers are responsible first and foremost for maintaining security of the facility and to guard against escapes by the prisoners, assaults between prisoners and assaults on other corrections officers by prisoners, and general disturbances in the corrections setting.
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Occasionally, corrections officers conduct searches of inmates and their cells. They typically inspect all areas of the institution for safety and security; they may also inspect inmates’ incoming and outgoing mail. They only have these law enforcement responsibilities inside the location where they work; they do not have any law enforcement responsibilities out in the community, as do police officers. Corrections officers document the happenings inside the institution consistently; it is important that they communicate information about the behavior of inmates and anything unusual that happens during their shift. Corrections officers may work either armed or unarmed, depending on the institution’s security level. A corrections degree from an accredited school will help set you up for success as a corrections officer.
Corrections Officer Job Requirements
For people who want to become a corrections officer, a high school diploma or GED is required although most employers favor an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree. For a federal corrections job, corrections officers must have at least a bachelor’s degree and three years of work experience in a related field such as supervision or counseling. Law enforcement or military experience might also meet the requirements for this job. Applicants for a position as a corrections officer must be at least 18-21 years old (depending on location), be a U.S. citizen, and have no felony convictions. Once hired, corrections officers participate in a training academy and then have a period of on-the-job training. This training includes communication skills, interpersonal relations, firearms training, procedures for custody and security, self-defense, and guidelines and restrictions that are placed on them by law.
Working in a correctional facility can be a challenge. Corrections officers must be in good health and have sound judgment and the ability to make quick, appropriate decisions. They may be required to pass a written exam, go through a background check, and submit to periodic drug screenings. Corrections officers work in potentially dangerous situations; this occupation has a high rate of injuries that occur on the job.
Corrections Officer Salary and Benefits
As of 2010, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual salary of $39,020 for correctional officers.1 In addition to salary, typical benefits for corrections officers include health insurance, retirement benefits, and a uniform allowance.
Corrections Officer Career Outlook
Job opportunities in corrections in upcoming years appear fair. The demand is expected to increase slightly over the next decade, taking into account population growth, rising incarceration rates, longer sentences for criminals, and the retirement and transfer into other occupations of existing corrections officers. The BLS projects job growth for correctional officers to be about 5% from 2010-2020, slower than the average occupation.1
Online Corrections Degrees, Training, Programs and Schools
Kaplan University
Popular Degrees:
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice/Forensic Psychology
- B.S. in Criminal Justice/Corrections
- M.S. in Criminal Justice/Corrections
- B.S. in Criminal Justice/Crime Scene Investigation
- B.S. in Criminal Justice/Computer Crime
Ashford University
Popular Degrees:
- BA/Social and Criminal Justice
- BA/Social Science - Psychology
- BA/Organizational Management - Homeland Security
- BA/Homeland Security and Emergency Management
- BA/Environmental Studies
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If you are thinking about online college but you’re not sure if it's for you, you should apply for Test Drive College Online. It is the only program that provides students with the opportunity to "try" online learning by taking a real college course online at no cost or obligation. Plus, the credits you earn may save you up to $2000 in tuition when you apply them toward a full degree. Get Started!
Upper Iowa University
Popular Degree Programs:
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Master of Public Administration - Justice and Homeland Security emphasis
- Master of Public Administration - Government Administration emphasis
Southern New Hampshire University
Popular Degree Programs:
- Bachelor of Science - Justice Studies
- Bachelor of Science - Justice Studies/Law & Legal Process
- Bachelor of Science - Justice Studies/Policing & Law Enforcement
- Bachelor of Science - Justice Studies/Crime and Criminology
- Bachelor of Arts - Psychology/Forensic Psychology
- MBA - Justice Studies
Kaplan University
Popular Degrees:
- A.A.S. in Criminal Justice
- B.S. in Criminal Justice/Forensic Psychology
- B.S. in Criminal Justice/Corrections
- M.S. in Criminal Justice/Corrections
- B.S. in Criminal Justice/Crime Scene Investigation
- B.S. in Criminal Justice/Computer Crime
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Popular Degrees:
- Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
- Associate of Arts in Homeland Security
- Bachelor of Arts in Homeland Security
- Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science in Public Safety
Virginia College
Popular Degrees:
- Associate of Science - Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
- Master of Science - Criminal Justice
- Master of Science - Cybersecurity
Post University
Popular Degrees:
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Legal Studies
- Legal Nurse Consulting Certificate
- Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Management for Registered Nurse
- Forensic Accounting Certificate
Grantham University
Popular Degrees:
- Associate of Arts - Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Arts Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
- Certificate of Learning Computer Forensic Investigations
- Certificate of Learning Criminal Investigation
- Certificate of Learning Juvenile Justice
Strayer University
Popular Degrees:
- Bachelor of Science in Information Systems - Homeland Security and Information Systems
- Associate in Arts in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Computer Security and Forensics
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Criminal Justice Administration
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security and Emergency Management
- Bachelor of Business Administration - Legal Studies
Herzing University
Popular Degrees:
- Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security and Public Safety (BSHSPS)
- Associate of Science in Legal Assisting/Paralegal (ASLAP)
- Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies (BSLS)
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJNM)
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security (BSCJHS)
- Associate of Science in Criminal Justice (ASCJ)
American InterContinental University
Popular Degrees:
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) - Special Populations
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) - Law Enforcement
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) - Forensic Science
Test Drive College Online
If you are thinking about online college but you’re not sure if it's for you, you should apply for Test Drive College Online. It is the only program that provides students with the opportunity to "try" online learning by taking a real college course online at no cost or obligation. Plus, the credits you earn may save you up to $2000 in tuition when you apply them toward a full degree. Get Started!
References:
1. Bureau of Labor Statistics: http://www.bls.gov/ooh/Protective-Service/Correctional-officers.htm
