What does a correctional sergeant do?
A correctional sergeant supervises correctional officers and oversees daily prison activities. Their duties are to enforce rules and regulations, conduct assessments and inspections, investigate suspicious activities and violations, resolve inmate conflicts, and monitor the inmates' progress in programs. They also have the authority to manage the officers' schedules, delegate responsibilities, and maintain weapons and equipment. They are also responsible for gathering reports from officers and developing solutions to problem areas.
Correctional sergeant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real correctional sergeant resumes:
- Monitor and manage enlisted promotion boards and actions; publish promotion orders for soldiers being promote to SGT and SSG.
- Join tactical unit, train in advance handcuffing techniques & defensive tactics, certify with chemical agents & firearms.
- Prepare ACA files and review the same for compliance.
- Serve as a CPR and first aid instructor, all annual in-service for facility.
- Ensure all require agency and ACA standards are adhered to, by all departments.
- Patrol perimeter for observing unusual behavior, breech in perimeter, and search for contraband.
- Create a place to have the booking paperwork recycle which minimizes trash and saves money.
- Employ de-escalation techniques, verbal commands and used physical and mechanical restraints to address unruly inmates.
- Report organization status of human resources, training, equipment logistics, and maintenance of the daily.
- Recognize as the definitive authority for HAZMAT, equipment maintenance, fuel and transportation planning issues in a very cold environment.
- Conduct perimeter patrol of institution.
- Maintain inmate building sanitation for daily cleanliness.
- Promote facility cleanliness as well as report maintenance or repairs requirements.
- Provide education and support regarding substance abuse awareness using film, PowerPoint and lecturing.
- Utilize written materials and PowerPoint for dissemination of information in a timely and interesting manner.
Correctional sergeant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Correctional Sergeants are proficient in Security Procedures, Public Safety, and Direct Supervision. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Interpersonal skills, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Correctional Sergeants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Security Procedures, 12%
Coordinated and conducted staff meetings training personnel on security procedures and prison gang activities.
- Public Safety, 11%
Supervised staff and inmates at a level 4 correctional institution Completed all pertinent paperwork Provided training for staff Safeguarded public safety
- Direct Supervision, 9%
Monitored juvenile offenders in daily activities and ensuring security and safety by providing sight and direct supervision.
- Cleanliness, 7%
Maintained the order and cleanliness of the facility.
- Disciplinary Actions, 6%
Investigated incidents and made recommendations for appropriate disciplinary actions for staff and inmates.
- Criminal Justice, 6%
Awarded the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission Advanced Corrections Certificate.
Most correctional sergeants use their skills in "security procedures," "public safety," and "direct supervision" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential correctional sergeant responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a correctional sergeant to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "correctional officers and bailiffs follow and enforce procedures in correctional facilities and courts to ensure safety." Correctional sergeants often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "communicated directly with supervisor in detail of all work developments, complaints, and unusual emergency situations. "
Interpersonal skills. Another essential skill to perform correctional sergeant duties is interpersonal skills. Correctional sergeants responsibilities require that "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." Correctional sergeants also use interpersonal skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "provided specific guidance to subordinates in the application of direct supervision, counseling, and interpersonal communication skills. "
Physical strength. correctional sergeants are also known for physical strength, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to correctional sergeant responsibilities, because "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." A correctional sergeant resume example shows how physical strength is used in the workplace: "worked as a academic, firearms, chemical agents, self defense, baton, and physical training instructor. "
The three companies that hire the most correctional sergeants are:
- State of Georgia: Teachers Retirement System of Georgia15 correctional sergeants jobs
- Indiana State Police6 correctional sergeants jobs
- NC.gov6 correctional sergeants jobs
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Compare different correctional sergeants
Correctional sergeant vs. Jail supervisor
A Sergeant is responsible for supervising a group of five or more Soldiers. Sergeants must oversee their daily activities, ensuring they are in proper disposition and are living under the conditions that adhere to the laws and regulations and training them according to the standards of the military. Furthermore, it is a Sergeant's responsibility to serve the public and report to the higher-ups, instill discipline to oneself, and serve as a role model to lower-ranked soldiers.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between correctional sergeants and jail supervisor. For instance, correctional sergeant responsibilities require skills such as "security procedures," "direct supervision," "cleanliness," and "disciplinary actions." Whereas a jail supervisor is skilled in "booking," "ran," "cad," and "treatment strategies." This is part of what separates the two careers.
On average, jail supervisors reach similar levels of education than correctional sergeants. Jail supervisors are 3.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Correctional sergeant vs. Third shift lieutenant
Each career also uses different skills, according to real correctional sergeant resumes. While correctional sergeant responsibilities can utilize skills like "security procedures," "public safety," "direct supervision," and "cleanliness," third shift lieutenants use skills like "back room," "emergency response," "pallets," and "customer service."
In general, third shift lieutenants achieve similar levels of education than correctional sergeants. They're 3.6% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Correctional sergeant vs. Sergeant
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from correctional sergeant resumes include skills like "security procedures," "public safety," "cleanliness," and "criminal justice," whereas a sergeant is more likely to list skills in "safety procedures," "patrol," "combat," and "weapons systems. "
Sergeants earn the highest salary when working in the government industry, where they receive an average salary of $46,533. Comparatively, correctional sergeants have the highest earning potential in the education industry, with an average salary of $37,093.sergeants typically earn similar educational levels compared to correctional sergeants. Specifically, they're 2.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Correctional sergeant vs. Correction officer supervisor
Types of correctional sergeant
Updated January 8, 2025
