Correctional Officers and Jailers

At a Glance

Median Salary
$39,402

Local Jobs
1,050

Entry-Level Education
High School

Occupation Profile

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.

By The Numbers

Median Annual Earnings

$39,402

Median Annual Earnings are the midpoint earned by 50 percent of workers who are the lowest paid and 50 percent of workers who are the highest paid in a particular occupation

Local Jobs

1,050

Jobs are any position in which a worker provides labor in exchange for monetary compensation (note: one individual may hold multiple jobs)

Entry-Level Education

High School

This is the most common education level requested in entry-level job listings.

Daily Tasks

Conduct head counts to ensure that each prisoner is present.
Monitor conduct of prisoners in housing unit, or during work or recreational activities, according to established policies, regulations, and procedures, to prevent escape or violence.
Inspect conditions of locks, window bars, grills, doors, and gates at correctional facilities to ensure security and help prevent escapes.
Search prisoners and vehicles and conduct shakedowns of cells for valuables and contraband, such as weapons or drugs.
Maintain records of prisoners’ identification and charges.
Record information, such as prisoner identification, charges, and incidents of inmate disturbance, keeping daily logs of prisoner activities.
Guard facility entrances to screen visitors.
Use weapons, handcuffs, and physical force to maintain discipline and order among prisoners.
Take prisoners into custody and escort to locations within and outside of facility, such as visiting room, courtroom, or airport.
Conduct fire, safety, and sanitation inspections.
Settle disputes between inmates.
Serve meals, distribute commissary items, and dispense prescribed medication to prisoners.
Provide to supervisors oral and written reports of the quality and quantity of work performed by inmates, inmate disturbances and rule violations, and unusual occurrences.
Participate in required job training.
Use nondisciplinary tools and equipment, such as a computer.
Issue clothing, tools, and other authorized items to inmates.
Counsel inmates and respond to legitimate questions, concerns, and requests.
Assign duties to inmates, providing instructions as needed.

Occupational Skills

What skills are necessary for Correctional Officers and Jailers?

Hard Skills

Auditing
Behavioral Science
Booking (Sales)
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Contraband Detection And Control
Criminal Corrections
Emergency Response
Health Education
Medication Inventory
Trauma Care

Soft Skills

Communications
First Aid
Management
Mentorship
Microsoft Office
Operations
Problem Solving
Sanitation
Supervision
Valid Driver's License

Hard skills are specific, learnable, measurable, often industry- or occupation-specific abilities related to a position.

Soft skills can be self-taught and usually do not necessitate a certain completed level of education. They are essential in many industries and occupations.

Education Programs

Coastal Bend College

Correctional Science

Dr. Lisa Bowman-Bowen

Coastal Bend College

(361) 664-2981 ext. 3005

bowen@coastalbend.edu

Program Type	Credential Type	Level	Required Hours	Online	Finanical Aid
CTE	L1		25	Some	Yes

Learn More About

Visit Career Coach for in-depth information and available training programs for this job.

career crosswalks

Job Listings

Career Resources

Education & Training

Career Training Partners

Education Resources