Education:
92%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
8%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Correctional Officers and Jailers
This is a sub-career of
Correctional Officer or Bailiff
More sub-careers
Select a specialized sub-career for more details.
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Job Outlook:
Decline
Education:
High school diploma or equivalent
Salary
High:
$82,600.00
Average:
$54,760.00
Hourly
Average:
$26.33
What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
- Conduct head counts to ensure that each prisoner is present.
- Inspect conditions of locks, window bars, grills, doors, and gates at correctional facilities to ensure security and help prevent escapes.
- 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.
Important Qualities
Decision-making skills. Correctional officers and bailiffs must determine the best course of action to maintain order and discipline, often in stressful situations.
Detail oriented. Correctional officers and bailiffs follow and enforce procedures in correctional facilities and courts to ensure safety.
Interpersonal skills. Correctional officers and bailiffs must be able to interact and communicate effectively with people in custody, visitors, and other officers of penal institutions and the court to maintain order.
Negotiating skills. Correctional officers must be able to assist in resolving conflict in order to ensure safety.
Physical strength. Correctional officers and bailiffs must be able to physically subdue people as necessary, including those in or visiting penal institutions and those attending court proceedings.
Self-discipline. Correctional officers must be able to control their emotions in hostile situations.
Personality
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Characteristics of this Career |
|---|---|---|---|
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86% | Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations. | |
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83% | Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical. | |
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81% | Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations. | |
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80% | Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks. | |
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79% | Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations. | |
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79% | Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace. | |
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79% | Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude. | |
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77% | Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job. | |
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77% | Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction. | |
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77% | Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. | |
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71% | Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles. | |
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69% | Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks. | |
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68% | Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done. | |
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67% | Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems. | |
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67% | Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
95% | Realistic - Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services. | |
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67% | Enterprising - Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law. | |
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61% | Conventional - Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Values of the Work Environment |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
83% | Support - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. | |
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72% | Relationships - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. | |
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61% | Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. |
Aptitude
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Abilities | Cognitive, Physical, Personality |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
75% | Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. | |
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75% | Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem. | |
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75% | Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. | |
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69% | Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. | |
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69% | Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. | |
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69% | Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). | |
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66% | Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. | |
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66% | Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). |
Job Details
Responsibilities
Count prison inmates or personnel.
Maintain surveillance of individuals or establishments.
Inspect equipment to ensure safety or proper functioning.
Record information about suspects or criminals.
Locate suspicious objects or vehicles.
Search individuals for illegal or dangerous items.
Record information about suspects or criminals.
Attend training to learn new skills or update knowledge.
Guard facilities.
Apprehend criminal suspects.
Inspect cargo to identify potential hazards.
Escort prisoners to courtrooms, prisons, or other facilities.
Use weapons or physical force to maintain security.
Inspect facilities to ensure compliance with fire regulations.
Inspect facilities to ensure compliance with security or safety regulations.
Inspect facilities for cleanliness.
Discuss performance, complaints, or violations with supervisors.
Resolve interpersonal conflicts.
Drive vehicles to transport individuals or equipment.
Prepare activity or work schedules.
Supervise inmate activities.
Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.
Investigate crimes committed within organizations.
Record information about suspects or criminals.
Direct operations of correctional facilities.
Supervise inmate activities.
Collect information about clients.
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Attributes & Percentage of Time Spent |
|---|---|---|---|
|
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98% | Face-to-Face Discussions - How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job? | |
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96% | Telephone - How often do you have telephone conversations in this job? | |
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94% | Deal With Unpleasant or Angry People - How frequently does the worker have to deal with unpleasant, angry, or discourteous individuals as part of the job requirements? | |
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92% | Contact With Others - How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it? | |
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89% | Work With Work Group or Team - How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job? | |
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88% | Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job? | |
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87% | Electronic Mail - How often do you use electronic mail in this job? | |
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87% | Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - How often does this job require working indoors in environmentally controlled conditions? | |
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86% | Time Pressure - How often does this job require the worker to meet strict deadlines? | |
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84% | Frequency of Conflict Situations - How often are there conflict situations the employee has to face in this job? | |
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84% | Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job? | |
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83% | Deal With Physically Aggressive People - How frequently does this job require the worker to deal with physical aggression of violent individuals? | |
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82% | Frequency of Decision Making - How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization? | |
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81% | Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - What results do your decisions usually have on other people or the image or reputation or financial resources of your employer? | |
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81% | Importance of Repeating Same Tasks - How important is repeating the same physical activities (e.g., key entry) or mental activities (e.g., checking entries in a ledger) over and over, without stopping, to performing this job? | |
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81% | Freedom to Make Decisions - How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer? | |
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79% | Physical Proximity - To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people? | |
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79% | Deal With External Customers - How important is it to work with external customers or the public in this job? | |
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78% | Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable - How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable? | |
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77% | Exposed to Disease or Infections - How often does this job require exposure to disease/infections? | |
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77% | Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets - How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets? | |
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76% | Letters and Memos - How often does the job require written letters and memos? | |
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75% | Structured versus Unstructured Work - To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals? | |
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72% | Coordinate or Lead Others - How important is it to coordinate or lead others in accomplishing work activities in this job? | |
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70% | Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - How responsible is the worker for work outcomes and results of other workers? | |
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70% | Consequence of Error - How serious would the result usually be if the worker made a mistake that was not readily correctable? | |
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67% | Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls - How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls? | |
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69% | Duration of Typical Work Week - Number of hours typically worked in one week. |
| A3 | Your Strengths | Importance |
Tasks & Values |
|---|---|---|---|
|
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84% | Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. | |
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80% | Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others. | |
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80% | Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person. | |
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78% | Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form. | |
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76% | Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. | |
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74% | Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others. | |
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72% | Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work. | |
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72% | Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job. | |
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72% | Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events. | |
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71% | Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems. | |
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71% | Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards. | |
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71% | Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance. | |
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70% | Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information. | |
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69% | Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills. | |
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69% | Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients. | |
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68% | Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time. | |
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66% | Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects. | |
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66% | Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions. | |
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66% | Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data. |
What Correctional Officers and Bailiffs Do
Correctional officers must follow procedures to maintain their personal safety as well as the safety of those they oversee.
Correctional officers guard people in penal institutions and guard those in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Bailiffs, also known as marshals or court officers, are law enforcement officers who maintain order in courtrooms.
Duties
Correctional officers typically do the following:
- Enforce rules and keep order within jails or prisons
- Supervise activities of people in custody
- Inspect facilities to ensure that they meet security and safety standards
- Conduct searches in the facility, such as of persons and property, for rule violations
- Report on the conduct of people in custody
- Escort and transport people in custody between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point
Bailiffs typically do the following:
- Ensure the security of the courtroom
- Enforce courtroom rules
- Follow court procedures
- Escort judges, jurors, witnesses, and people in custody into and out of the courtroom
- Handle evidence and deliver court documents
Inside the prison or jail, correctional officers enforce rules and regulations. They maintain security by preventing disturbances, assaults, and escapes and by inspecting facilities. They check cells and other areas for unsanitary conditions, contraband, signs of a security breach (such as tampering with window bars and doors), and other rule violations. Officers also inspect mail and visitors for prohibited items. They conduct regular counts of people in custody to ensure that everyone is present. They write reports and fill out daily logs detailing anything of note that occurred during their shift.
Correctional officers may have to restrain people in custody, such as by using handcuffs and leg irons to escort them to and from cells. Officers also escort people in custody to courtrooms, medical facilities, and other destinations.
Bailiffs’ specific duties vary by court, but their primary duty is to maintain order and security in courts of law. They enforce courtroom procedures that protect the integrity of the legal process. For example, they ensure that attorneys and witnesses do not influence juries outside of the courtroom, and they also may isolate juries from the public in some circumstances. As a neutral party, they may handle evidence during court hearings to ensure that only permitted evidence is displayed.
Work Environment
Bailiffs held about 17,100 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of bailiffs were as follows:
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 64% |
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 34 |
Correctional officers and jailers held about 378,500 jobs in 2022. The largest employers of correctional officers and jailers were as follows:
| State government, excluding education and hospitals | 51% |
| Local government, excluding education and hospitals | 41 |
| Federal government | 4 |
| Facilities support services | 4 |
Correctional officers may work both indoors and outdoors at penal institutions. For example, their shift may include patrolling the facility inside and supervising outdoor recreational activities of people in custody. Bailiffs generally work in courtrooms.
Both correctional officers and bailiffs may be required to stand for long periods. They must be alert and ready to react throughout their entire shift.
Injuries and Illnesses
Working in a correctional institution can be stressful and dangerous. Correctional officers and jailers may become injured in confrontations with people in custody, leading to their having one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. They may wear safety gear, such as gloves and helmets, to protect against injury.
Work Schedules
Most correctional officers and bailiffs work full time. Because jail and prison security must be provided around the clock, correctional officers work in shifts that cover all hours of the day and night, including weekends and holidays. Correctional officers may be required to work overtime. Bailiffs usually work when court is in session.
Getting Started
How to Become a Correctional Officer or Bailiff
Correctional officers typically attend training at an academy before being assigned to a facility.
Correctional officers and bailiffs typically need a high school diploma to enter their occupation. They typically attend a training academy.
Although qualifications vary by state and agency, many agencies set a minimum age for correctional officers that is usually between 18 and 21. Federal agencies also may require officers to have a bachelor’s degree or work experience and may have a maximum age for entry.
Education
Correctional officers and bailiffs typically must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
For employment in federal prisons, the Federal Bureau of Prisons requires entry-level correctional officers to have a bachelor’s degree or several years of experience in a field providing counseling, assistance, or supervision. Bachelor's degree fields vary but commonly include security and protective service or a related field, such as social science.
Training
Correctional officers and bailiffs complete training at an academy. Training varies by state. The International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training maintains links to states’ Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) programs. Academy trainees receive instruction in a number of subjects, including self-defense, institutional policies, regulations, operations, and security procedures.
Correctional officers and bailiffs may shadow experienced officers after graduating from a training academy.
Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations
Some states require correctional officers to complete state certification. For more information, check with your state’s public safety, corrections, or other agency that establishes this certification.
Advancement
Correctional officers may advance to supervisory positions such as sergeant, lieutenant, or captain. They also may move into specialized units, such as gang task force or hostage negotiation.
Bailiffs may advance to senior bailiff or other supervisory positions.
Job Outlook
Overall employment of correctional officers and bailiffs is projected to decline 7 percent from 2022 to 2032.
Despite declining employment, about 30,900 openings for correctional officers and bailiffs are projected each year, on average, over the decade. All of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to other occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
Employment
Lower incarceration rates and prison population levels are expected to reduce demand for these workers.
Although correctional officers and bailiffs will continue to be needed, changes to criminal laws have a large effect on how many people are arrested and incarcerated each year. Faced with high costs for keeping people in prison, many state governments have moved toward laws requiring shorter prison terms and alternatives to prison. While keeping the public safe, community-based programs that are designed to rehabilitate prisoners and limit their risk of repeated offenses also may reduce prisoner counts.
Contacts for More Information
For more information about Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST), visit
International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training
For more information about career opportunities for correctional officers at the federal level, visit
For more information about federal government requirements for correctional officers, visit
Similar Occupations
This table shows a list of occupations with job duties that are similar to those of correctional officers and bailiffs.
| Occupation | Job Duties | Entry-Level Education | Median Annual Pay, May 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Police and Detectives |
Police officers protect lives and property. Detectives and criminal investigators gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes. |
See How to Become One | $69,160 |
|
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists |
Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists assist in rehabilitating law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. |
Bachelor's degree | $59,860 |
|
Security Guards and Gambling Surveillance Officers |
Security guards and gambling surveillance officers protect property from illegal activity. |
High school diploma or equivalent | $34,770 |
|
Firefighters |
Firefighters control and put out fires and respond to emergencies involving life, property, or the environment. |
Postsecondary nondegree award | $51,680 |