The Life of a Prison Guard
Television and movies heavily influence the public perception of prisons and prison guards, and few really know what it's like to be a corrections officer. Be informed about the life of a prison guard before you choose this career path.
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Odd Hours
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Naturally a prison is a 24-hour operation and must be staffed at all times. This is not a 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. job. When starting out as a corrections officer or prison guard, expect to work weekends, holidays and nights.
Public Perception
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Expect a negative reaction when you tell people what you do for a living. TV and movies rarely present prison guards as anything more than ignorant thugs, and the news media presents more negative than positive stories about corrections.
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Be Aware of the Physical Danger
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While prisons are generally less dangerous than public perception would have you believe, and less dangerous than they used to be, they still present very real potential for physical harm. Research from the Association of State Correctional Administrators indicates a drop in assaults and homicides in correctional facilities, however the risk is always present.
Develop a Thick Skin
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If you are easily offended, corrections is not for you. Inmates have nothing but time to come up with insults for the staff.
Relating to Offenders and Staff
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Interpersonal working relationships and communication can be complicated. The prison environment brings both staff and offenders from all walks of life into the same location and requires coexistence. The fact is that there will be some offenders you get along with, and some staff you don't.
What to Expect Day to Day
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Daily job duties will vary depending on assignment. The central focus of a corrections officer is to maintain control and ensure security of the institution. Duties may include holding an armed post such as a perimeter tower, controlling doors and gates, conducting searches, controlling disruptive offender behavior and maintaining a visible security presence.
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References
- Photo Credit handcuffs image by Daniel Wiedemann from Fotolia.com
