About Prison Guards

Prison guards work in concert with other law enforcement agents and with the staff at the prison to make sure the prison runs smoothly. Prison guards typically are enforcing policies others have put into place, and as such, these workers need to be able to uphold policy even if they do not completely agree. Working as a prison guard can give someone a boost later on when looking to further their career choices.

Function

Prison guards serve a needed purpose in society. The primary responsibility of a prison guard is to account for the prisoners on their watch at all times. To this end, guards do head counts frequently and must monitors which prisoners go to meals, to internal jobs, and to counseling throughout their shift. Prison guards make sure prisoners are not ill and are doing well mentally, and the guards are also responsible for reporting any disturbances.

Types

While most prison guards work for the government, a growing number of prisons are run through private corporations. These corporations hire prison guards, who operate under the same general guidelines as government-employed guards. The benefit to the guards is that they typically receive better pay and often can negotiate their hours more easily than guards in state-run facilities.

Misconceptions

One common misconception of prison guards is that they are power-hungry and violent against criminals. While undoubtedly some prison guards possess this demeanor, it is not true for the majority of guards. Prison personnel must adhere to federal and state regulations regarding the use of force against inmates, and prison guards are considered in violation of their contracts if they do not comply.

Benefits

Being a prison guard comes with certain benefits. For starters, these jobs tend to have decent wages, particularly for the areas where they tend to be located. The guards also have good benefits, including 401(k) or pension plans and health insurance. Guards often have a leg up if they try to move into other positions, such as being a police officer, because of the training they receive while serving as a guard.

Warning

Being a prison guard is not the easiest job out there. The work does come with risks from being so closely associated with inmates. Prison guards must be people who are ethically upstanding and able to exert control when needed. A prison guard who doesn't do a good job could put everyone else in the building at risk.