How to Become a Correctional Officer:
The Definitive Guide

What is a Correctional Officer?

A Correctional Officer often called a prison guard, is tasked with making sure that all inmates are safe, healthy, and getting the help they need.

You could consider these men and women the voice of authority within a jail or prison.

Not only that, but you can find a Correctional Officer checking guests and visitors to ensure that they are not bringing contraband items into the facility.

This career is not easy, but it can be a way to help others and keep citizens safe.

Duties

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Salary

On average in the United States, a Correctional Officer will make around $50,000 a year.

Correctional Officers who are new to the career will likely make a little less, at around $31,000 a year.

Those that work as a Correctional Officer for many years, and have the experience, will likely make around $78,000 a year.

Larger populations and higher socio-economic areas will likely pay Correctional Officers more than city or county jails.

Correctional Officers working in California will likely make more money than a Correctional Officer that works in Iowa.

With specializations and certifications, it’s possible to make more as well.

• Annually
• Monthly
• Hourly

*Salary information based on the May 2023 Occupational Employment Statistics (OES) Survey.
Conducted by: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Department of Labor.
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.

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How to Become a Correctional Officer

Step 1Earn a High School Diploma

One of the most important steps in becoming a Correctional Officer is making sure that you have all of the necessary requirements.

The first requirement is that you have a high school diploma.

Now, some facilities require an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice, but this is rare.

You also must be at least 18 years old to work in federal prison, but some suggest that waiting until you are a bit older is more helpful.

In order to be eligible to work as a Correctional Officer, you will also be required to make a Personal History Statement.

This is an extensive review of past residences, acquaintances, and any employment history.

After your PHS is reviewed and you have been accepted as a Correctional Officer, it’s time to move on to the next step.

Step 2Pass the Entrance Exam

Depending on where you decide to take a job, the facility will have its own requirements for the entrance exam.

However, many require an exam that tests your fitness skills as well as a written test that will showcase your knowledge of the legal system and a psychological exam to ensure that you will be able to handle the vigorous role of a Correctional Officer.

It is likely that you will have a vision and hearing test done, and if a Correctional Officer does not have 20/20 vision, they are required to have corrective lenses or contacts.

If you pass the exam, you will be placed on the certification list as a Correctional Peace officer until you are able to enter the training academy.

Step 3Enter Training Academy

This is where you will get to learn the ins and outs of the facility in which you plan to work.

You will get hands-on experience in the training academy, as well as education about self-defense, weapons, and psychological counseling methods.

It’s important that your training academy teaches:

• Handling inmates
• Officer safety
• Crisis management
• Physical conditioning

This way, you will be completely ready for your job as a Correctional Officer.

Some training academy’s last around six weeks, while others can take six months.

The length of the academy depends on the jurisdiction that you plan to work in.

The training academy is typically free and provided by the facility in which you work, you may also get paid for your time at the training academy.

Step 4Gain Experience

After you have graduated from the training academy, you will be able to work as a Correctional Officer in a prison, jail, or other facilities.

Having experience in a prison or jail is the only way you can really learn how to be a Correctional Officer because every facility is different.

Once you learn the day to day activities of the place you are employed, you can start to gain very good experience and knowledge about what it takes to be a Correctional Officer.

Some people choose to work as Correctional Officers for their entire career, but others want more from their jobs.

It’s possible to earn a degree to get a higher job title, but the experience can also increase your chances of a raise as well.

Step 5Advance Your Career

You can’t advance in your career without experience, so that’s the first step.

However, it’s possible to gain certain credentials or degrees in order to work your way up in the prison system.

There are some certifications that a Correctional Officer can earn that may open some doors.

These credentials include:

• Correctional Behavior Health Certification
• Certified Corrections Supervisor
• Certified Jail Officer
• Certified Jail Executive

With these certifications, you can show an employer that you are competent about your career, and possibly earn promotions.

Some of the other careers that you may gain from certifications are:

• Corrections Superintendent
• Jail Recruit Deputy
• Detention Officer
• Lead Correctional Officer

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Education

There aren’t any universal requirements for working as a Correctional Officer, it all depends on the place in which you want to be employed.

Some prison systems and rehab facilities require that you earn an Associate’s degree or a Bachelor’s degree, which can take anywhere from two to four years to complete.

Instead of formal education, most correctional facilities require that Correctional Officers enroll in the training academy, where they learn the tricks of the trade.

While enrolled in the training academy, you will be required to show physical strength as well as written and verbal communication strengths.

Some of the most important topics learned in training academy include:

• Firearms training
• First aid/CPR
• Managing special needs offenders
• Preventing workplace violence
• Use of force/restraints
• Report writing
• Riot prevention and control
• Disciplinary procedures
• Offender rights and privileges
• Defensive tactics
• Self-defense

Many Correctional Officers will tell you that the best training is on the job training, which you can only receive while working as a Correctional Officer.

To prepare for the role, you must take on physical tests in order to show your strength and stamina.

There are a lot of mental and physical demands in this career, which is why recording and reporting your physical fitness is a part of the training academy.

You will also be required to:

• Run an obstacle course
• Run
• Walk
• Condition muscles
• Learn self-defense tactics

Some training academies last for a few weeks, while others can last for up to 6 months.

This depends on where you work and what their requirements are.

All new Correctional Officers who pass training will become cadets and are sworn into their new roles.

There will also be regular on the job training opportunities for Correctional Officers to keep up on current job duties and legal requirements.

In order to learn more, you will need to contact the correctional facility where you plan to work.

Video About The Career

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Certification

Every jurisdiction may have its own certifications for their Correctional Officers.

Some of the more well-known ones include:

• Certified Correctional Officer/Adult
• Certified Correctional Officer/Juvenile
• Correctional Behavior Health Certification
• Certified Corrections Supervisor
• Certified Jail Officer
• Certified Jail Executive

In order to earn certification as a Certified Correctional Officer/Adult, you will need at least two years of experience as a Correctional Officer.

You will also be required to take an exam to show your knowledge of the job.

This certification is for Correctional Officers who work directly with offenders.

The certification for Certified Correctional Officer/Juvenile has the same requirements.

Both of these certifications will allow you to showcase your capabilities as a Correctional Officer.

If you are looking to gain promotion with certifications, it may be time to look into either becoming a Certified Corrections Supervisor or a Certified Jail Executive.

A Certified Corrections Supervisor is someone with several years of experience as a Correctional Officer, who shows leadership skills, and knows how to organize and take care of a prison.

This certification requires a written and oral exam as well.

A Certified Jail Executive is considered one of the highest forms of Correctional Officers.

With this certification, a Correctional Officer will oversee both staff and offenders as well as the development of policies and procedures throughout the prison system.

Certified Correctional Behavior Certification is an advanced credential for Correctional Officers who have several years of experience in the field as well as a Bachelor’s degree or above.

In order to earn this certification, you must take an oral and written exam.

This certification will allow you to work with offenders with mental health issues.

Any certification will allow for promotions or raises, and they also show your employer that you are willing to learn continuously in order to be the best Correctional Officer you can be.

Certification Example:

Average Training Program Duration: 0-6 Months

Most certifications require that you work several years as a Correctional Officer before you are eligible.

The first certification requires at least two years of experience, however, once you take the exam you have earned the certification.

There is no training aside from on the job training when you work as a Correctional Officer.

When you first start out in the career, you may enter training academy and be updated on tactics throughout your career, but most certifications require no program or classes.

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Popular Programs

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Job Outlook

There will always be a need for Correctional Officers due to the presence of crime.

Correctional Officers should see a 7 percent drop in job outlook within the next ten years.

This is about equal to other careers within the same field.

Due to the high costs of keeping people in prison, many governments are deciding to create laws that are alternatives to prison.

There are also several rehabilitation programs and community-based programs that keep prisoner numbers down.

Even with all of the disadvantages, there will be many Correctional Officer positions due to retirements, transfers, and other Correctional Officers leaving the labor force.

Employment Growth Projection: -7%

That's a higher than average projected growth of -30,000 jobs.

Correctional Officer: Interest Over Time

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Should You Become a Correctional Officer?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What does a Correctional Officer do?

A Correctional Officer makes sure that every one that is in a prison or other correctional facility is safe at all times.

This could mean inmates, guests, employees, and themselves.

They also transport and deal with inmate issues.

You can expect to find Correctional Officers roaming halls, watching the cafeteria, and handling situations that arise within a prison system.

Q. How long does it take to become a Correctional Officer?

The average time that it takes to become a Correctional Officer is around 6 months.

This is because, in order to work as a Correctional Officer, you will need an extensive background check as well as training.

Background checks can take a while to come through, especially for as much information as is needed to become a Correctional Officer.

Training academies can take anywhere from 6 weeks to several months, as well.

Q. What is the average salary of a Correctional Officer?

In the United States, the average salary for a Correctional Officer is around $50,000 a year.

Don’t expect that kind of pay right out of the gate though, unless you work somewhere like California or New York.

Most entry-level Correctional Officers make around $31,000 a year.

Those with certifications and years of experience can make up to $78,000 a year.

Q. Is there a demand for Correctional Officers?

Although it may not be good for some people, there will likely always be a need for Correctional Officers.

This is due to the fact that crime happens all the time in every city around the country.

Even though many courts are requiring rehab or other non-prison sentences, there will always be a need for Correctional Officers to oversee prisons and other facilities.

The demand for Correctional Officers will drop around 7 percent within the next decade.

Q. How much does it cost to become a Correctional Officer?

If you do not plan to have any formal education before becoming a Correctional Officer, it doesn’t have to cost you anything.

If you decide to earn an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice or another equivalent, this can cost around $15,000 to $20,000.

Those that earn a Bachelor’s degree can expect to pay around $30,000 for their education.

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