Q: How many hours do correctional officers work?

Correctional officers work 40 hours per week. As correctional facilities need to have someone on duty at all times, correctional officers work shifts. These shifts can be 8 to 12 hours, depending on the facility. Typically, if a correctional officer works 8-hour shifts, they work 5 shifts a week, while 12-hour shifts are generally only 3 shifts a week.

Q: Is a correctional officer a good job?

No, being a correctional officer is not a good job. Correctional officers work in prisons, which are extremely dangerous and stressful work environments. This setting is challenging in several ways.

Question 1

Corrections Officer vs. Police Officer

Accepted Answer

A corrections officer is a law enforcement agent who is in charge of individuals who have been arrested, while a police officer is a law enforcement agent who works in the community to ensure safety.

Question 2

How long does it take to become a Correction Officer?

Accepted Answer

It takes 4 years of professional experience to become a correction officer. That is the time it takes to learn specific correction officer skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education.

Question 3

Can you become a correctional officer with a misdemeanor?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can become a correctional officer with a misdemeanor depending on the jurisdiction/agency and the nature of the misdemeanor. The decision is ultimately up to the hiring agency and is based on their standards and the type of misdemeanor you have.

Question 4

What are careers in corrections?

Accepted Answer

Correctional officers, prison wardens, and forensic psychologists are careers in corrections. Here are some details about these careers and others in corrections:

Correctional officer

Question 5

What are the pros and cons of being a correctional officer?

Accepted Answer

The pros of being a correctional officer are defined work hours, a career pathway, and good benefits, while the cons are dangerous work environments, risks to mental health, and possibly undesirable work conditions. To be successful as a correctional officer requires hard work and resiliency.

Question 6

What is a good starting salary for a Correction Officer?

Accepted Answer

A good starting salary for a correction officer is $31,000 in the United States. That puts you in the 10th percentile of annual income for a correction officer in the U.S., which is about what you would expect if you were new to the field. The average salary for correction officers is $42,266, but that normally requires some level of experience to achieve. Furthermore, a good starting salary for a correction officer can vary by state.

Question 7

Can a correction officer make 100k?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can make $100,000 per year as a correction officer. While possible, it is unlikely to earn over $100k as a correction officer because even higher-paid positions do not typically earn more than $56,000 per year. The average annual salary for a correction officer is $42,266.

Question 8

What percentage of Correction Officers are female?

Accepted Answer

40.8% of correction officers are female in the United States. This is 1.3 percentage points higher than last year. Additionally, the percentage of female correction officers has decreased by -1.2 percentage points since 2010. That means there are a total of 137,430 female correction officers in the U.S. and 199,409 male correction officers in the United States. Note that Zippia's estimate accounts only for the 336,839 people with the specific job title of correction officer and doesn't include grouping similar job titles, or people with potentially similar credentialing.

Question 9

How many hours do correctional officers work?

Accepted Answer

Correctional officers work 40 hours per week. As correctional facilities need to have someone on duty at all times, correctional officers work shifts. These shifts can be 8 to 12 hours, depending on the facility. Typically, if a correctional officer works 8-hour shifts, they work 5 shifts a week, while 12-hour shifts are generally only 3 shifts a week.

Question 10

Is a correctional officer a good job?

Accepted Answer

No, being a correctional officer is not a good job. Correctional officers work in prisons, which are extremely dangerous and stressful work environments. This setting is challenging in several ways.

Question 11

Why do you want to be a correctional officer?

Accepted Answer

You answer, "why do you want to be a correctional officer," by focusing on wanting to work in a rehabilitative environment where you can help people turn their lives around. Honesty and integrity are crucial to the role of a correctional officer; therefore, it is vital that you demonstrate these qualities in your answer.

Frequently asked questions about correction officers

Questions about becoming a correction officer