Can someone with a felony become a correctional officer?

Since working as a corrections officer revolves around supervising convicted criminals, employers typically look for candidates with a clean criminal record. Having a history of a felony conviction, even a long time ago, is never beneficial to getting the career you want, but in this particular occupation, felonies on your record could be a dealbreaker.

All corrections officer candidates are subject to criminal background checks as part of the application and hiring process. Unfortunately, any felony conviction that appears on your record as part of your background check may be enough to disqualify you from employment as a correctional officer.

Different employers have different requirements with regard to background checks, with some being more lenient and others more rigorous in their expectations. In some states, for instance, you could be eligible for employment as a corrections officer even with a felony conviction if you are able to get that conviction expunged or pardoned.

Offenses involving drugs and domestic violence are often deal breakers, even if you were charged with a misdemeanor or lower-level crime.

A dishonorable discharge from the military may also be enough to prevent you from working as a correctional officer. Additionally, if you have any pending criminal charges or outstanding warrants for your arrest, you won't be able to become a corrections officer, at least not until these legal matters are resolved.

In other states, the requirements are stricter. In California, for example, even felony convictions that were expunged or sealed from your record for the purpose of regular background checks are fair game for the corrections department to consider when you apply for a correctional officer role.

In fact, if you were charged with a felony crime initially but the charges were reduced to a misdemeanor offense at the time you were convicted, in some states that original felony charge may still keep you from a career in corrections.

Overall, your best options for dealing with a felony conviction or another mark on your criminal record vary from pursuing expungement to moving to a new state. Ultimately, if your crime is serious enough, you may have to find a different career path to pursue.