Corrections Officer

Correction officers, also known as detention officers, supervise convicted criminals in jails or penitentiaries and people accused of crimes awaiting trial. They maintain security, break up fights, and prevent inmates from escaping. Correctional officers only have authority in the facility they work at.

Correctional officers work at precinct stations, municipal jails, and police and sheriffs’ departments. The 3,300 jails in the United States are supervised by elected sheriffs. Inmates are constantly revolving in and out of prison since new criminals are arrested, released, or transferred. Correctional officers admit, and process over 11 million people annually in the United States. Individuals who have been recently arrested and placed in a jail, pose the greatest threat to correctional officers since little is known about these people.

Most correctional officers work at federal or state prisons or large jails. Correctional officers also supervise people detained by the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Officers may also work for private companies that operate correctional facilities. Working in a prison or jail can be dangerous. However, since inmates at prisons are incarcerated for longer periods of time, officers are more aware of safety hazardous posed by inmates.

Correctional officers prepare written and verbal reports about inmate conduct and progress. Officers need to document and report rule violations, security breaches, and strange behavior. Officers often maintain daily records and investigate crimes committed by inmates. Officers must report all violations and never demonstrate favoritism towards inmates.

Prisons and jails with direct supervision cellblocks employ unarmed officers equipped with communication equipment, if help is needed. They usually work with other officers in 50-100 inmate cellblocks. These officers enforce rules by communicating with inmates or revoking privileges.

Correction officers also work in centralized control centers, command centers with closed-circuit television cameras and computer tracking systems, supervising dangerous inmates. These prisoners are often in solitary confinement, only leaving to shower, exercise, or meet with visitors. Correctional officers often must use leg irons and handcuffs when moving these inmates to hospitals or courtrooms.

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