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Correctional Officers and Jailers

Did You Know:

  • The work can be stressful and hazardous; correctional officers have one of the highest rates of nonfatal on-the-job injuries.
  • Most jobs are in state and local government prisons and jails.
  • Job opportunities are expected to be favorable.


Industry Areas

  • State Government (OES Designation)
  • Local Government (OES Designation)
  • Facilities Support Services

Day-to-Day 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.

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Overall Kind of Work

Correctional officers, also known as detention officers when they work in pretrial detention facilities, are responsible for overseeing individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or...

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Work Environment

Military

Law enforcement and security specialists in the military work both indoors and outdoors depending on their assignment. They may work outdoors while conducting investigations or patrolling facilities.

Status

What is the difference between enlisted and officer?

Enlisted:
Enlisted members enter the Military with a high school diploma (in some cases a GED), at a minimum. They are employed in almost every type of military career, often in hands-on roles.

Officers: Officers either enter the Military with a four-year college degree or greater or served previously as enlisted members, and are generally employed in management roles or highly specialized fields that require intensive training.
  • no Officer
  • yes Enlisted

Military Breakdown

The number of people who currently hold this career in the Military.

1,833 Correctional Officers and Jailers in the military

Service Branches

Law Enforcement and Security Specialists work in the following services:

Army Marine Corps Navy

Type of Work

The level of day-to-day involvement with data, people or things.

Data: Medium
People: High
Things: Medium

Skills at a Glance

The levels of different skills helpful in this career.

Verbal skills: Medium
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Medium
Equipment Operation & Maintenance: Medium
Math & Science Skills: Medium
Technology Design & Control: Medium
Leadership: High

Workplace at a Glance

The level of different environmental factors you would experience on the job.

Responsibility: High
Exposure to Job Hazards: Medium
Physical Activity: Medium
Decision Making: High
Repetitiveness: High
Level of Competition: Low
Time Pressure: Medium