What Is a Correctional Officer?

Correctional officers are responsible for keeping track of the goings-on of residents, either temporary or permanent, of jails or other correctional facilities. They are responsible for watching more than two million people who are incarcerated in local, state and federal buildings at any given time.

Mointoring

Correctional officers keep their penitentiaries orderly and secure through strict monitoring of the social and employment activities of the prisoners under their watch.

Searches

Searches are an integral part of the correctional officer's job. Not only do they have to search cells for banned material, but they also need to be on the lookout for fire hazards and unsanitary conditions.

Transportation

They are also responsible for transportation of those who are incarcerated, such as for court dates, to other facilities or to medical appointments and emergency rooms.

Recording

Correctional officers usually keep a written record of their daily activities. Disturbances and illegal activities are noted so these records can be used and referred to in potential legal proceeding occurring from them.

Occupational Hazards

The stress and the danger of the job is high. Confrontations with inmates can occur regularly, which often puts the correctional officer in harm's way and causes anxiety. Therefore, their life expectancy is lower than average, at 58.