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About This Career Path

Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures. May guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Includes deputy sheriffs and police who spend the majority of their time guarding prisoners in correctional institutions.

Environment

Working in a correctional institution can be stressful and dangerous. Correctional officers and jailers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses, often resulting from confrontations with inmates. Security must be provided 24 hours a day in correctional facilities, so officers work in shifts that cover all hours of the day and night, weekends and holidays. Bailiffs work with prisoners, who may become violent.

Also Known As

  • Alcohol law enforcement agent
  • Campus security officer
  • Correctional corporal
  • Correctional sergeant
  • Corrections officer
  • Corrections specialist
  • Customer service security officer
  • Detention deputy
  • Highway patrolman
  • Jailer
  • Loss prevention officer
  • Police officer
  • Police sergeant
  • Safety and security officer
  • Security guard
  • Security officer
  • State trooper
  • Canine deputy (k-9 deputy)
  • Deputy sheriff
  • Narcotics detective
  • Booking officer
  • Community services officer
  • Correctional officer
  • Corrections corporal
  • Corrections officer co
  • Custody assistant
  • Deputy jailer
  • Detention officer
  • Hotel security officer
  • Law enforcement officer
  • Patrol officer
  • Police patrol officer
  • Public safety officer
  • Security agent
  • Security guards
  • Security specialist
  • Store detective
  • Civil division deputy sheriff
  • Lieutenant civil process server
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Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security

Correctional Officers and Jailers

Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures.

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A Day In The Life

Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security Industry

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Salary Breakdown

Correctional Officers and Jailers

Average

$45,070

ANNUAL

$21.67

HOURLY

Entry Level

$37,140

ANNUAL

$17.86

HOURLY

Mid Level

$46,200

ANNUAL

$22.21

HOURLY

Expert Level

$57,390

ANNUAL

$27.59

HOURLY

Projected Jobs

Correctional Officers and Jailers

7,760

Projected job openings through 2030

Sample Career Roadmap

Correctional Officers and Jailers

Job Titles

Entry Level

JOB TITLE

Trainee for a Federal Prison

Mid Level

JOB TITLE

Correctional Officer

Expert Level

JOB TITLE

Sergeant

Supporting Certifications

Correctional Studies
 ASU
  View Certification
Security Studies
 ASU
  View Certification
County Corrections Training Academy Certificate
 Pima Community College
  View Certification
Detention Officer Training Academy
 Arizona Western College
  View Certification
Law Enforcement and Corrections (CERT)
 Yavapai College
  View Certification
Corrections Officer
 Mohave Community College
  View Certification

Degree Recommendations

Administration of Justice CCL
 Maricopa Community Colleges
  View Program
Corrections
 Maricopa Community Colleges
  View Program
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Top Expected Tasks

Correctional Officers and Jailers

01

Conduct head counts to ensure that each prisoner is present.

02

Inspect conditions of locks, window bars, grills, doors, and gates at correctional facilities to ensure security and help prevent escapes.

03

Monitor conduct of prisoners in housing unit, or during work or recreational activities, according to established policies, regulations, and procedures, to prevent escape or violence.

04

Search prisoners and vehicles and conduct shakedowns of cells for valuables and contraband, such as weapons or drugs.

05

Maintain records of prisoners' identification and charges.

06

Record information, such as prisoner identification, charges, and incidents of inmate disturbance, keeping daily logs of prisoner activities.

07

Guard facility entrances to screen visitors.

08

Process or book convicted individuals into prison.

09

Search for and recapture escapees.

10

Inspect mail for the presence of contraband.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Correctional Officers and Jailers

Common knowledge, skills & abilities needed to get a foot in the door.

KNOWLEDGE

Public Safety and Security

KNOWLEDGE

Law and Government

KNOWLEDGE

English Language

KNOWLEDGE

Administrative

KNOWLEDGE

Administration and Management

SKILL

Social Perceptiveness

SKILL

Speaking

SKILL

Active Listening

SKILL

Monitoring

SKILL

Critical Thinking

ABILITY

Oral Comprehension

ABILITY

Oral Expression

ABILITY

Problem Sensitivity

ABILITY

Speech Clarity

ABILITY

Speech Recognition

Related Careers

Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Security

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