All About Correctional Officers and Jailers
Job 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.
Life As a Correctional Officer or Jailer
- Search for and recapture escapees.
- Conduct fire, safety, and sanitation inspections.
- Maintain records of prisoners' identification and charges.
- Arrange daily schedules for prisoners including library visits, work assignments, family visits, and counseling appointments.
- Take prisoners into custody and escort to locations within and outside of facility, such as visiting room, courtroom, or airport.
- Counsel inmates and respond to legitimate questions, concerns, and requests.
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What a Correctional Officer or Jailer Should Know
Correctional Officers and Jailers state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Related Job Titles for this Occupation:
- Police Detention Attendant
- Youth Corrections Officer
- Corrections Sergeant
- Turnkey
- Matron
Job Opportunities for Correctional Officers and Jailers
There were about 450,000 jobs for Correctional Officer or Jailer in 2016 (in the United States). There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Correctional Officer or Jailer. There will be an estimated 31,300 positions for Correctional Officer or Jailer per year.
The states with the most job growth for Correctional Officer or Jailer are Washington, Illinois, and South Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in Connecticut, New Jersey, or Kansas. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Correctional Officer or Jailer Salary
The typical yearly salary for Correctional Officers and Jailers is somewhere between $31,140 and $76,760.
Correctional Officers and Jailers who work in California, New Jersey, or Rhode Island, make the highest salaries.
How much do Correctional Officers and Jailers make in each U.S. state?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $36,760 |
| Alaska | $64,670 |
| Arizona | $44,150 |
| Arkansas | $34,120 |
| California | $75,400 |
| Colorado | $50,620 |
| Connecticut | $54,420 |
| Florida | $43,410 |
| Georgia | $34,290 |
| Hawaii | $59,020 |
| Idaho | $39,710 |
| Illinois | $62,440 |
| Indiana | $36,960 |
| Iowa | $50,750 |
| Kansas | $36,550 |
| Kentucky | $35,940 |
| Louisiana | $34,370 |
| Maine | $40,440 |
| Maryland | $49,220 |
| Massachusetts | $67,920 |
| Michigan | $51,890 |
| Minnesota | $51,660 |
| Mississippi | $30,840 |
| Missouri | $31,650 |
| Montana | $40,570 |
| Nebraska | $40,310 |
| Nevada | $62,140 |
| New Hampshire | $47,860 |
| New Jersey | $70,280 |
| New Mexico | $36,250 |
| New York | $64,490 |
| North Carolina | $38,500 |
| North Dakota | $44,700 |
| Ohio | $45,190 |
| Oklahoma | $33,060 |
| Oregon | $58,450 |
| Pennsylvania | $54,140 |
| Rhode Island | $68,710 |
| South Carolina | $37,560 |
| South Dakota | $39,310 |
| Tennessee | $35,470 |
| Texas | $42,380 |
| Utah | $46,150 |
| Vermont | $45,810 |
| Virginia | $41,860 |
| Washington | $57,740 |
| West Virginia | $36,960 |
| Wisconsin | $44,230 |
| Wyoming | $42,290 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Correctional Officers and Jailers
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Correctional Officers and Jailers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Microsoft Access
- Guardian RFID
- Jail management software
How to Become a Correctional Officer or Jailer
Education needed to be a Correctional Officer or Jailer:
How Long Does it Take to Become a Correctional Officer or Jailer?
Where Correctional Officers and Jailers Are Employed
Correctional Officers and Jailers work in the following industries:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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