How to Become a Juvenile Corrections Officer

Juvenile corrections officers supervise youth who are "in the system."

Juvenile corrections officers work with youth who are "in the system"---that is, young people who have gotten in legal trouble and are now in some form of detention. Juvenile correction officers work at such detention facilities to ensure the safety of the youth and of facility staff and visitors. They are responsible for supervision and record keeping and may also work to aid in any rehabilitation efforts.

Instructions

1. Stay in school. Educational requirements vary greatly from one jurisdiction to another, but a requirement for a high school diploma (or a GED) is universal. If you want to become a corrections officer of any kind, you will need to graduate high school.

2. Explore your local opportunities. Juvenile facilities are generally run by governments at the local level, typically city or county, although there are state and federal facilities, as well. Find out what juvenile facilities are in your area. Your local social services website, police departments and court systems are good sources of information to get started.

3. Ask about certification and training. Your state may have a special certification exam for correction officers and may require specific sorts of training as well, such as CPR, civil rights and other topics. Facilities that handle youth offenders will be familiar with any requirements and will be able to provide you detailed information.

4. Look for local courses. Community colleges and private training institutes often offer specialized training in criminal justice, in general, and may offer courses that focus specifically on training for corrections officers. Some schools can arrange internships as well. An Internet search on the phrase "criminal justice training," along with the name of your town or county and state, should turn up a list of available options.

5. Make a plan. With the relevant information in hand, you can now take steps to complete any educational and training requirements, take (and pass) necessary certification tests and begin the process of contacting juvenile detention facilities to learn about job openings in your area.

References

• Education Portal: Juvenile Correction Officer careers
• Occupation Outlook: Probation and Correctional Officers

Resources

• National Center for Juvenile Justice