Training to Become a Correctional Officer

Correctional officers are trained to always be on guard.

Correctional officers work with individuals who have been arrested, and are serving time in jail or prison. Officers are responsible for maintaining order and preventing assaults or other crimes within the prison system. Correctional officers must participate in several hours of specialized training to safely and effectively perform their job duties.

Training Basics

Federal and state level correctional facilities provide training for new employees and in some cases, training academies. Training usually lasts several weeks to several months and includes on-the-job training under the supervision of a superior officer. Depending on the agency, an officer may acquire a wide variety of skills that will be most appropriate for the responsibilities of that agency. For example, a correctional officer for a county jail system may be trained to process new inmates that are entering the system or those that are being transferred to long-term facilities.

Instruction

Correctional officers are trained in several different areas. The nature of their daily responsibilities require that they have knowledge of correctional system operations as well as the legal restrictions of their occupation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, new officers are required to have 200 hours of formalized training during their first year. Officers are trained in self-defense as well as how to properly use firearms. Many officers undergo specialized training to assist them with prison disturbances such as riots and attempted escapes.

Education

Correctional officers must have at least a high school diploma or the equivalent general education diploma (GED). Officers must be over 18, or 21 with some agencies. They must be free from felony convictions and be a U.S. citizen. Some federal facilities require a bachelor's or graduate degree in order for officers to take on added responsibilities or be promoted.

Physical and Mental Requirements

The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that new federal correctional officers must take their position before they are 37 years old. Officers are required to pass background checks and meet other mental stability and physical requirements. In addition, officers must be healthy and maintain the physical ability to keep up with the demands of their occupation.

Work Environment

The nature of a correctional officer's work is hazardous. The environment in which they work may be indoors or outdoors and can include jails, penitentiaries, or other correctional facilities. Officers often work long hours with shifts that include nights, weekends, and holidays. Because they come in frequent contact with inmates, the potential for dangerous confrontations increases their risk of on-the-job injury. The risks associated with the job require specialized training that teaches the officers how to protect themselves and others from potentially dangerous inmates.

References

• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Correctional Officer