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Correctional Officers & Jailers

Also called: Correctional Officer, Corrections Officer (CO), Jailer, Detention Deputy

Where in the military? In the military: see titles from the Army, Marine Corps, or Navy.

What they do:
Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures. May guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Includes deputy sheriffs and police who spend the majority of their time guarding prisoners in correctional institutions.
On the job, you would:
  • Conduct head counts to ensure that each prisoner is present.
  • Monitor conduct of prisoners in housing unit, or during work or recreational activities, according to established policies, regulations, and procedures, to prevent escape or violence.
  • Inspect conditions of locks, window bars, grills, doors, and gates at correctional facilities to ensure security and help prevent escapes.

Knowledge

Safety and Government
  • public safety and security
  • law and government
Math and Science
  • psychology
Arts and Humanities
  • English language
Engineering and Technology
  • computers and electronics

Skills

Basic Skills
  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • talking to others
Social
  • understanding people's reactions
  • changing what is done based on other people's actions
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Verbal
  • listen and understand what people say
  • communicate by speaking
Endurance
  • exercise for a long time without getting out of breath
Hearing and Speech
  • speak clearly
  • recognize spoken words
Ideas and Logic
  • notice when problems happen

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Self Control
  • Stress Tolerance
  • Integrity
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Persistence

Technology

Examples of the technology used in this career will be available soon.

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
high school diploma or
some college
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training Find Certifications Registered Apprenticeship Eligible for the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program

Job Outlook

Bright Outlook
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Salary
$38,990
per year, on average
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about correctional officers and jailers.