List the benefits associated with a prison job.
List the drawbacks of working in prisons.
Describe your thoughts on what it would be like to work in a prison and if you might consider a career in prison. Why or why not?
The minimum age requirement for employment as a correctional officer is 18 years of age. You will also need a high school diploma. Newly hired correctional officers attend a training academy for several months so that they can learn about facility operations and can develop skills such as self-defense. If you are interested in a job with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, you will need a bachelor’s degree or prior full-time work experience in a closely related field. Certain jobs, such as prisoner transport and extradition, may also require completion of a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) program and a law enforcement credential.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics collects salary data for correctional officers, which includes jailers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that as of May 2017, the median annual income of correctional officers and jailers is $43,540, meaning that half earn more and half earn less. The median income of all occupations is $37,690. In addition to making more than the national average income, correctional officer benefits can include medical and dental insurance, retirement plans, overtime and shift differential pay, and paid military leave.
Some business establishments offer police discounts to thank officers for their community service. Correctional officers trained as law enforcement officers may be eligible for such vendor discounts, depending on their employer’s policies on accepting police discounts or other perks not offered to the general public.
Most correction officers work in prisons or jails. Some positions can also be found with private security companies and in hospital settings. Correction officers must be able to keep their cool when enforcing rules. Many prisons are overcrowded and understaffed, which requires hypervigilance and diplomacy to maintain order before small problems turn into big ones. Because correctional facilities must be adequately staffed around the clock, correctional officers may be required to work overnight shifts, as well as on holidays, weekends and overtime.
Typically, correctional officers work for local, state or government agencies. As government employees in unionized environments, correctional officer benefits include cost of living adjustments and step increases on a salary scale. Those who enjoy the work and who perform well, can seek promotional opportunities to positions of greater responsibility with higher salaries. For instance, after proving yourself as a correctional officer, you can apply to be a first line supervisor of correction officers. Correctional officer benefits of first line supervisors include an average annual salary of $66,880, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2017. What’s more, about 10 percent of first line supervisors make over $100K.
Correctional officers who are trained and sworn law enforcement officers (LEOs) may receive government allocated LEO benefits, such as early retirement, after 20 years of service in recognition of the physical demands and risks of duties, such as restraining, transporting and maintaining custody of prisoners outside of a secured facility.