Correctional Officers and Jailers

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Correctional Officers and Jailers

Careers / Correctional Officers and Jailers

Summary Description


	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.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Booking Officer

2.	Certified Detention Deputy

3.	Community Services Officer

4.	Convict Guard

5.	Correction Officer

6.	Correctional Captain

7.	Correctional Corporal

8.	Correctional Guard

9.	Correctional Lieutenant

10.	Correctional Officer

11.	Correctional Sergeant

12.	Corrections Corporal

13.	Corrections Officer (CO)

14.	Corrections Specialist

15.	Cottage Master

16.	Cottage Parent

17.	Cottage Supervisor

18.	Custodial Officer

19.	Custody Assistant

20.	Deputy

21.	Deputy Jailer

22.	Deputy Sheriff

23.	Detention Deputy

24.	Detention Enforcement Officer

25.	Detention Officer

26.	Gang Pusher

27.	Gate Guard

28.	Gate Watch

29.	Gate Watchman

30.	Guard

31.	Immigration Guard

32.	Immigration Services Officer

33.	Jail Guard

34.	Jail Officer

35.	Jail Supervisor

36.	Jailer

37.	Jailer/Training Officer

38.	Jailkeeper

39.	Jailor

40.	Juvenile Corrections Officer

41.	Juvenile Detention Officer

42.	Lock Up Keeper

43.	Matron

44.	Patrol Conductor

45.	Penal Officer

46.	Police Matron

47.	Police Officer

48.	Prison Guard

49.	Prison Officer

50.	Public Safety Officer

51.	Reformatory Attendant

52.	Security Guard

53.	Security Officer

54.	Turnkey

55.	Youth Corrections Officer

Job Tasks

	Conduct head counts to ensure that each prisoner is present. Count prison inmates or personnel.

	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. Maintain surveillance of individuals or establishments.

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

	Search for and recapture escapees. Apprehend criminal suspects.

	Record information, such as prisoner identification, charges, and incidences of inmate disturbance, and keep daily logs of prisoner activities. Record information about suspects or criminals.

	Search prisoners and vehicles and conduct shakedowns of cells for valuables and contraband, such as weapons or drugs. Locate suspicious objects or vehicles. Search individuals for illegal or dangerous items.

	Use weapons, handcuffs, and physical force to maintain discipline and order among prisoners. Use weapons or physical force to maintain security.

	Inspect mail for the presence of contraband. Inspect cargo to identify potential hazards.

	Guard facility entrances to screen visitors. Guard facilities.

	Maintain records of prisoners' identification and charges. Record information about suspects or criminals.

	Process or book convicted individuals into prison. Record information about suspects or criminals.

	Settle disputes between inmates. Resolve interpersonal conflicts.

	Supervise and coordinate work of other correctional service officers. Direct operations of correctional facilities.

	Conduct fire, safety, and sanitation inspections. Inspect facilities to ensure compliance with fire regulations. Inspect facilities to ensure compliance with security or safety regulations. Inspect facilities for cleanliness.

	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. Discuss performance, complaints, or violations with supervisors.

	Participate in required job training. Attend training to learn new skills or update knowledge.

	Take prisoners into custody and escort to locations within and outside of facility, such as visiting room, courtroom, or airport. Escort prisoners to courtrooms, prisons, or other facilities.

	Serve meals, distribute commissary items, and dispense prescribed medication to prisoners.

	Counsel inmates and respond to legitimate questions, concerns, and requests.

	Drive passenger vehicles and trucks used to transport inmates to other institutions, courtrooms, hospitals, and work sites. Drive vehicles to transport individuals or equipment.

	Use nondisciplinary tools and equipment such as a computer.

	Assign duties to inmates, providing instructions as needed. Supervise inmate activities.

	Investigate crimes that have occurred within an institution, or assist police in their investigations of crimes and inmates. Investigate crimes committed within organizations.

	Issue clothing, tools, and other authorized items to inmates. Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.

	Arrange daily schedules for prisoners including library visits, work assignments, family visits, and counseling appointments. Prepare activity or work schedules.

	Sponsor inmate recreational activities such as newspapers and self-help groups. Supervise inmate activities.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment — Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Nature of the Work


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Correctional Officers and Bailiffs
	Correctional officers are responsible for overseeing individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or who have been sentenced to serve time in jail or prison. Bailiffs are law enforcement officers who maintain safety and order in courtrooms.

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Working Conditions


	(Abstract from Career Articles)

	Correctional Officers and Bailiffs
	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.

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Interesting Fact

Charles Goodyear, the man who developed vulcanized rubber, began his experiments while he was in prison.

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