What is a Correctional Officer?

Correctional officers are also called detention officers. They generally work in prisons, jails, reformatories, and penitentiaries. They may also work in courthouses or with the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Their job is to oversee, secure, and control individuals arrested and awaiting trial or those convicted and incarcerated.

What are the responsibilities of a correctional officer?

Correctional officers maintain security to prevent riots, disturbances, assaults, or escapes. Their law enforcement jurisdiction is limited to the institution in which they work. They also have law enforcement responsibilities or powers outside the institution.

While correctional officers work in a variety of criminal justice institutions, their basic responsibilities remain the same. These include:

• Maintaining order
• Preventing disturbances
• Enforcing rules
• Ensuring the safety of other institutional employees and visitors
  

To fulfill their responsibilities, correctional officers may perform the following tasks:

• Monitor inmate activities
• Supervise inmate work assignments
• Search for contraband (weapons or drugs)
• Settle disputes between inmates
• End violent confrontations or fights between inmates
• Enforce the rules through disciplinary action
• Inspect institution facilities for signs of security breaches

How are performance and training requirements established?

Most federal and state corrections departments base training and performance on guidelines established by the American Correctional Association and the American Jail Association.

Did you know?

Seminole Community College has been training law enforcement officers since 1969.