Now that your graduation is complete from high school, and you’re trying to decide what career path is best for you, there are a lot of different things you need to consider. Some jobs pay more, but are definitely a grind on a day-to-day basis. Other jobs pay a bit less but are enjoyable and varied throughout the day, so you’ll never get bored. Then there’s the question of, do you go on to a four-year school and get a degree without any on the job training program, or do you get into a specific job training academy, that is focused on what you want to do without all the fluff? One great type of training academy these days, is in the correctional officers field, the pay is decent starting out, every day is different at work, comes with great benefits, and can lead to advancement. Let’s take a look at some more advantages and disadvantages involved in this type of training and work.
What Does A Correction Officer Do?
Obviously the primary job of a correction officer is going to be maintaining certain amount of order in the jail or prison where employed, however, there are hundreds of other tasks that need to be done throughout the day, with maintaining order being the overall objective. It is possible there will be disputes between inmates that need to be negotiated, and disciplinary action that needs to be handled as well, but there also many other facets to correctional institutions involved. Most prisons have some kind of outside work details, either cleaning roadsides, parks, or even building playground equipment, depending on many different situations, and these inmates would need to be managed carefully and tactfully at all times.
There’s also the management of day-to-day cleaning in the dorm rooms, and living areas that are typically handled by more trusted inmates in the system. While trusted, these inmates still need to be carefully observed and kept on task at all times. Officers also need to be making daily pat downs, searches of bedding and clothing, and constant monitoring of the restroom facilities, showers, and recreational areas of the jail. Many inmates also require constant medical attention on a daily basis, sometimes by doctors and nurses, other times just the dispensing of prescription medications is all that’s needed. This can also be an area of potential problems that needs to be carefully observed by officers on duty at all times.
Educational Requirements To Get Started.
The starting educational requirements can vary throughout the country, and even in the same jurisdiction a city jail, county jail or state correctional facility will each have their own different requirements for applicants. In many smaller cities, the jail is merely managed by local police officers until the inmates can be turned over to a larger county facility, in these locations the qualifications for police officers vary, depending on how demanding the job is and the ability to attract and hire qualified applicants. Once you get to the county level the educational requirements are typically, high school diploma or GED, and a qualified training course in corrections as well. Keeping in mind that, normally the jobs that require more educational training will also be the ones with the higher pay, better benefits, and more advancement opportunities. It’s best to check with each individual facility in your area to see their exact educational requirements, in order to know which glasses to enroll in and where.
Job Security And Advancement Potential.
Since crime seems to be a way of life for many individuals in our society, is not likely that there will be a lessening in the demand for correctional officers anytime soon. The United States seems to have enough money to keep plenty of inmates incarcerated no matter how bad the economy gets, and all of them demand a certain number of officers in order to stay safe and maintain order. Many opportunities to advance are also available for those who work hard and take additional training in corrections, management, and law enforcement.
Pay Averages For Correctional Officers.
The amount of pay in the industry tends to vary quite a bit depending on the size of the institution and the educational requirements required for employment. Generally $35,000 per year is considered the starting pay for those with only a high school education and on-the-job training. With a two-year degree in corrections the average pay jumps to approximately $39,000 per year and can go as high as $45,000 a year with experience. In addition to that, rising up through the ranks, and becoming a supervisor, adds additional pay as well.
Working in the correctional field is an excellent way to achieve good pay without a lot of extra educational requirements. As with any job, the more education you acquire, the easier it is to find employment and the higher the pay will be starting at entry-level. Your local community colleges, and private schools, most likely have all of the information available online.