Corrections Training & Education
Qualification requirements for Corrections positions often vary by state. In most cases, a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, social work or a related field is required to obtain a position as a Parole or Probation Officer. Corrections Facility Managers may not specifically require higher education but will benefit from a degree in Building Maintenance, Facility Management or a related field.
The job of Corrections Officer does not always require higher education, and a high school diploma plus some experience in a related field can be sufficient qualification. However, an Associate’s or higher degree in a relevant criminal justice college may be required for anyone interested in career advancement. In addition, working in a Federal prison requires a Bachelor’s degree or three years’ experience in a related field. This training may be achieved by attaining a criminal justice degree online or at a campus degree program.
Most Corrections workers will also be required to complete state or federal training programs, and undergo a variety of oral, written, physical and psychological tests and examinations during the job interview process.
Corrections Career & Salary Outlook
Salary expectations for Parole and Probation Officers range between $35,000 and $60,000 depending on the level of experience of the individual. Corrections Officers can expect a salary of $20,000 to $50,000 depending on their experience, with higher salaries of $55,000 to $95,000 or more for managerial positions such as Corrections Facility Manager. Those with higher level criminal justice degrees should expect a higher level of pay.
The US Department of Labor predicts that these Corrections positions will see average growth over the next five to seven years, with urban areas having higher rates of growth than rural areas. However, as the workforce in these positions is aging, while the rate of growth is expected to be average, the rate of new openings may increase.
Career Fields/Specializations
Corrections Probation Officer Career
The role of the Probation Officer is to supervise people who are on probation. These are generally people who have been given a probation sentence in lieu of a prison term. They will work closely with people on probation, scheduling meetings, evaluating their progress, and creating reports to update the Court.
They are also often involved in investigating the background or family of the accused person and writing reports on their findings, and may also make sentencing recommendations in some cases. In such cases they are often required to present their findings during a Court hearing. In some states, Probation Officers are known as Community Supervision Officers.
Probations Officers must have a broad range of skills, including both practical and interpersonal skills. They should have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and be willing to work with a wide variety of different types of people, and be able to work in stressful situations. This is a very deadline and goal-oriented position, and Probations Officers should be able to prioritize their work efficiently to meet Court-appointed deadlines.
Corrections Parole Officer Career
Parole Officers have many of the same responsibilities and duties to perform as Parole Officers. The main difference with these two jobs is that while Probation Officers work with people who are put on probation instead of being sent to prison, the Parole Officer works with people after they are released from prison. In some states, these two jobs may be combined, and the position will involve working with people on probation and on parole.
The Parole Officer’s main role is to supervise people who are on parole by assessing their needs, determining meeting schedules, and periodically reporting on the progress of the parolee. They will often work closely with the Courts to evaluate and give updates on the parolee’s progress and in some cases may be required to present their findings in a formal Court hearing.
As with Probation Officers, the Parole Officer should excel at written and verbal communication, be able to work well with a wide variety of people, and be able to handle stressful situations. They should also be able to prioritize their work to meet Court deadlines.
Corrections Officer Career
The role of the Corrections Officer is to supervise prison inmates who have been convicted of a crime or are awaiting trial. As such they typically work in a county, state or federal prison or other corrections institute. They are mainly involved with maintaining safety and security and preventing inmates from causing disturbances and injuring others. This may involve inspections of both prisoners and cells and other areas, settlement of disputes between inmates, and supervising inmates during day-time activities. The role of the Corrections Officer may also vary according to the shifts they work, as inmate supervision is required 24 hours a day.
The job of the Corrections Officer is often hazardous and highly stressful, and the nature of the work is such that Corrections Officers risk being injured while on duty. A Corrections Officer should therefore be able to tolerate stressful situations well, and be able to exercise good judgment and think quickly even when under stress. Corrections Officers must also be healthy and have a good standard of physical fitness, including vision and hearing.
Corrections Facility Management Specialty Career
A Corrections Facility Manager is responsible for ensuring that all the systems and services within a corrections facility remain operational at all times, and also for ensuring that these systems and services do not compromise the security and safety of both inmates and workers within the facility.
As this is a managerial position, the Corrections Facility Manager is more concerned with supervising other workers and administrative duties rather than practical work. However, they may often be required to take a more hands-on approach, so they should also have good knowledge of HVAC, electronic, electrical and other systems that operate within a facility.
The Corrections Facility Manager should have a wide range of skills, including good written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal skills, and a familiarity with the different types of systems operating within a facility. As with other Corrections jobs, they should also be comfortable working in a potentially hazardous location.
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