Corrections Officer Degrees and Careers
(found programs from 281 schools)

With more than 800,000 offenders in jail and 1.6 million in state and federal prisons, there are plenty of job opportunities for correctional officers. Job duties include monitoring inmate activity, supervising work assignments, searching incarcerated individuals and living quarters for prohibited goods, inspecting prison security devices to ensure proper functioning, and screening inmate mail and visitors for forbidden materials.

Corrections Officer Job Description

Correctional officers must regularly report on inmate conduct, as well as security threats and other occurrences. They keep a daily record of the environment in the facility to which they are assigned. They may work alone on a cellblock or with another officer. Although most are unarmed, many carry communications devices to call for reinforcement should an emergency arise.

Some correctional officers may work on tactical response teams, in which they respond to gang organization, hostage situations, riots, suicide attempts, and other dangerous events. While working as a correctional officer in a jail or prison might seem to be one of the more stressful and hazardous jobs available, the working environment can actually be safer than most because of its stable population and the security measures taken to keep officers secure and safe. Most correctional officers work eight hours each day during a five-day workweek. They typically have rotating shifts. Some facilities have extended shifts or more than two days off in between work weeks. Night, weekend, and holiday work is common, as well as paid overtime.

Corrections Officer Requirements

For those wishing to enter the field, most agencies necessitate a high school diploma or the equivalent, some college, or full-time work experience. Applicants who were in the military may have an edge. Correctional officers must be a minimum of 18 years old, with many agencies hiring only those 21 and older. The Federal Bureau of Prisons has slightly more stringent requirements: a bachelor’s degree or higher, three years of full-time related work experience, or both for entry-level correctional officers. Criminal backgrounds may disqualify applicants - but at the very least, those looking for a job in a correctional facility should answer all questions thoroughly and honestly. Upon being hired, correctional officers complete a short training program, but they receive the majority of training on the job. Federal correctional officers go through 200 hours of training during their first year, followed by 120 hours of specialized training, which takes place in Glynco, Georgia at the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons. Some schools also offer a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, which may help aspiring correctional officers find employment. These degree programs - which cover correctional practices, policing, safety codes, criminal law, criminal court procedures, and evidentiary law – are often offered online and take about four years to complete.

Corrections Officer Career Outlook

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were roughly 450,000 correctional officers and jailers employed in 2008, and most worked for state or local governments in a variety of correctional institutions. Correctional officer positions are expected to increase nine percent from 2008 to 2018, keeping pace with average job growth across all occupations.

The median annual wage for correctional officers and jailers is $38,380. Officers receive standard benefits, as well as a uniform or clothing allowance for those in the public sector. After providing 20 years of service, officers can retire after age 50, and they can retire at any age after 25 years of service.

Useful Corrections Officer Resource Links

• American Correctional Association
• Corrections.com - an online community for Corrections personnel
• National Correctional Industries Association
• Women’s Prison Association

Corrections Officer Degree Programs

Welcome to the most complete directory on the Web of Corrections Officer programs. It contains all the nationally accredited programs, from 281 schools across the country.

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