How to Find a Job As a Prison Guard

Prison guards, also known as correctional officers, work in state prisons from minimum to maximum security, as well as in county jails. Some opportunities are available in federal prisons as well. The primary job duty is providing direct supervision of inmates at all times. A prison guard monitors inmates when they are in their cells, in the dining area, during outside activity and when they have visitors. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts favorable job opportunities for prison guards through at least 2018. The most efficient way to find a job as a prison guard is to locate openings and download applications online.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access
• Driver's license
• Birth certificate or other proof of birth
• Picture identification
• Social Security card

Instructions

1. Check websites of facilities for job openings. You can easily find these websites through your favorite search engine. Typing in "Oxford prison Wisconsin" in Google, for instance, brings the top result as the Federal Bureau of Prisons website for the Federal Correctional Institute in Oxford, while "Washington state prison" will give you a top result for the Washington State Department of Corrections. You may need to use the phrase "correctional institution" instead of "prison."

2. Click on the button for "careers" or "jobs" from the main page.

3. Check educational requirements for the correctional institution. All prison guards must have a high school diploma or equivalency. Some state and local facilities require college credits in criminal justice, while some prefer an associate or bachelor's degree. Applicants to federal positions must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree, military experience or a certain amount of relevant work experience.

4. Complete any requirements you do not have. Some agencies want applicants to be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), for example. You may need to be tested for tuberculosis (TB). You'll also need a valid driver's license.

5. Submit an application. You usually can download an application from the website in PDF form. If not, call or e-mail the prison for an application. Make sure your application is complete or the facility will not consider you for a prison guard position. Submit the application electronically, by fax or by postal mail, depending on the facility's specifications.

6. Be drug-free and in good physical condition. All departments of corrections require a drug screening test, and you probably will need to pass a physical fitness exam as well.

7. Schedule your written exam for the position, if one is required. Bring all the documentation listed such as your birth certificate or other proof of birth, a picture identification and your Social Security card.

Tips & Warnings

• All facilities require prison guards to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. You cannot have a felony conviction on your record.

References

• BLS: Correctional Officer Career Overview
• North Carolina Department of Corrections Information
• Texas Department of Criminal Justice Information

Resources

• Vermont Correctional Officer Job Description
• Portage County Corrections Officer Job Announcement