Correctional Officers and Jailers

Overview
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Examples

These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.

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.

Salary Salary

Salary at 10th Percentile: $32K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $37K
Median Salary: $47K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $63K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $81K

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

Conduct head counts to ensure that each prisoner is present.

Inspect conditions of locks, window bars, grills, doors, and gates at correctional facilities to ensure security and help prevent escapes.

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.

Search prisoners and vehicles and conduct shakedowns of cells for valuables and contraband, such as weapons or drugs.

Maintain records of prisoners' identification and charges.

Process or book convicted individuals into prison.

Record information, such as prisoner identification, charges, and incidents of inmate disturbance, keeping daily logs of prisoner activities.

Search for and recapture escapees.

Guard facility entrances to screen visitors.

Inspect mail for the presence of contraband.

Use weapons, handcuffs, and physical force to maintain discipline and order among prisoners.

Take prisoners into custody and escort to locations within and outside of facility, such as visiting room, courtroom, or airport.

Conduct fire, safety, and sanitation inspections.

Drive passenger vehicles and trucks used to transport inmates to other institutions, courtrooms, hospitals, and work sites.

Serve meals, distribute commissary items, and dispense prescribed medication to prisoners.

Settle disputes between inmates.

Provide to supervisors oral and written reports of the quality and quantity of work performed by inmates, inmate disturbances and rule violations, and unusual occurrences.

Use nondisciplinary tools and equipment, such as a computer.

Investigate crimes that have occurred within an institution, or assist police in their investigations of crimes and inmates.

Participate in required job training.

Arrange daily schedules for prisoners, including library visits, work assignments, family visits, and counseling appointments.

Counsel inmates and respond to legitimate questions, concerns, and requests.

Issue clothing, tools, and other authorized items to inmates.

Supervise and coordinate work of other correctional service officers.

Assign duties to inmates, providing instructions as needed.

Sponsor inmate recreational activities, such as newspapers and self-help groups.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Data base management system software
Corrections housing software
Data base user interface and query software
Microsoft Access
Document management software
Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Web page creation and editing software
Facebook
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Communications Devices and Accessories
Mobile radios
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Data collectors
Fire protection
Emergency fire hoses
Law enforcement
Expandable batons
Light weapons and ammunition
Law enforcement shotguns
Lighting Fixtures and Accessories
Law enforcement flashlights
Patient care and treatment products and supplies
Leg irons
Personal safety and protection
Protective safety glasses
Security surveillance and detection
Surveillance cameras
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Public Safety and Security
96%
Importance

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

English Language
77%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Law and Government
77%
Importance

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

Clerical
70%
Importance

Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Administration and Management
69%
Importance

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Customer and Personal Service
68%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Psychology
68%
Importance

Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.

Transportation
66%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Computers and Electronics
65%
Importance

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Education and Training
61%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Top 10 Skills
Social Perceptiveness
80%
Importance

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Speaking
80%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Listening
78%
Importance

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Monitoring
78%
Importance

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Critical Thinking
73%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Coordination
70%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Reading Comprehension
70%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Complex Problem Solving
65%
Importance

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Persuasion
65%
Importance

Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.

Judgment and Decision Making
63%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Top 10 Abilities
Oral Comprehension
80%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Oral Expression
80%
Importance

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

Problem Sensitivity
80%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Speech Clarity
80%
Importance

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Speech Recognition
78%
Importance

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

Deductive Reasoning
75%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Inductive Reasoning
75%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Near Vision
70%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Far Vision
68%
Importance

The ability to see details at a distance.

Selective Attention
68%
Importance

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Top 10 Work Activities
Getting Information
92%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
86%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Documenting/Recording Information
85%
Importance

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
84%
Importance

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
81%
Importance

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
81%
Importance

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems
81%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Processing Information
75%
Importance

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
75%
Importance

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
74%
Importance

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Detailed Work Activities

Count prison inmates or personnel.

Maintain surveillance of individuals or establishments.

Inspect equipment to ensure safety or proper functioning.

Record information about suspects or criminals.

Locate suspicious objects or vehicles.

Search individuals for illegal or dangerous items.

Attend training to learn new skills or update knowledge.

Guard facilities.

Apprehend criminal suspects.

Inspect cargo to identify potential hazards.

Escort prisoners to courtrooms, prisons, or other facilities.

Use weapons or physical force to maintain security.

Inspect facilities to ensure compliance with fire regulations.

Inspect facilities to ensure compliance with security or safety regulations.

Inspect facilities for cleanliness.

Discuss performance, complaints, or violations with supervisors.

Resolve interpersonal conflicts.

Drive vehicles to transport individuals or equipment.

Prepare activity or work schedules.

Supervise inmate activities.

Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.

Investigate crimes committed within organizations.

Direct operations of correctional facilities.

Work Context
Contact With Others

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Telephone

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

Work With Work Group or Team

How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?

Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People

How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements?

Responsible for Others' Health and Safety

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

Face-to-Face Discussions

How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Time Pressure

How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines?

Indoors, Environmentally Controlled

How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions?

Importance of Repeating Same Tasks

How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job?

Deal With External Customers

How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job?

Education
Majors
Major
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Interests
Realistic
96%
Importance

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Enterprising
72%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Conventional
67%
Importance

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Social
39%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Investigative
29%
Importance

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Artistic
15%
Importance

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Top 10 Work Styles
Integrity
98%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Stress Tolerance
95%
Importance

Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Self Control
94%
Importance

Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Attention to Detail
93%
Importance

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Dependability
92%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Adaptability/Flexibility
88%
Importance

Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Initiative
87%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Leadership
87%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Cooperation
85%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Persistence
85%
Importance

Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Work Values
Support
86%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Relationships
77%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Independence
67%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Achievement
58%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Working Conditions
50%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Recognition
43%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.