Correctional Officers and Jailers
Correctional officers and jailers guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures. They guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other points. This includes deputy sheriffs and police who spend the majority of their time guarding prisoners in correctional institutions.
Correction officers and jailers monitor prisoners to prevent escape or violence. They inspect conditions of locks, window bars, and gates at correctional facilities, and conduct headcounts to ensure that each prisoner is present. Correctional officers' job descriptions include searching prisoners and vehicles, conducting shakedowns of cells for valuables and contraband, and recording information, such as prisoner identification, charges, incidents of inmate disturbance, and daily logs of prisoner activities.
How to become a correctional officer? A high school diploma is required for the job of a prison guard, and training is provided at training centres before the commencement of the job. Required skills include observation, critical thinking, problem-solving, deductive reasoning, social perceptiveness and communication. They need knowledge of public safety and security, law and government, administration and management.
They work at prisons, correction centres, and juvenile homes. The job carries a risk of being attacked or injured during fights amongst inmates, dealing with unpleasant or angry people, and being responsible for others’ health and safety. Correctional officers may conduct counselling sessions for inmates in an attempt to turn them around. A prison guard carries firearm weapons and handcuffs on their person.
To be a successful prison guard and obtain a jailer salary, one needs to be vigilant, always on their toes and on the lookout for any signs of trouble.
Qualifications
Every career requires an element of study and academic qualification, and there can be several study routes and pathways you can take. In following any academic pathway you will study subjects that contribute to the specialised knowledge required to achieve your career goals. These qualifications provide a future employer with the evidence that you have the desired knowledge, understanding and experience of their industry, so it’s important to consider the various types of qualifications available to you and to understand how they can boost your career and create opportunities for you.
- Bachelor's Any Subject
Tasks
- Guard facility entrances to screen visitors.
- Search for and recapture escapees.
- Inspect mail for the presence of contraband.
- Take prisoners into custody and escort to locations within and outside of facility, such as visiting room, courtroom, or airport.
- Use weapons, handcuffs, and physical force to maintain discipline and order among prisoners.
- Conduct fire, safety, and sanitation inspections.
- Provide to supervisors oral and written reports of the quality and quantity of work performed by inmates, inmate disturbances and rule violations, and unusual occurrences.
- Settle disputes between inmates.
- Drive passenger vehicles and trucks used to transport inmates to other institutions, courtrooms, hospitals, and work sites.
- Arrange daily schedules for prisoners, including library visits, work assignments, family visits, and counseling appointments.
Progression Routes
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