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Corrections counselor vs counselor

The differences between corrections counselors and counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a corrections counselor has an average salary of $48,875, which is higher than the $36,225 average annual salary of a counselor.

The top three skills for a corrections counselor include mental health, substance abuse and social work. The most important skills for a counselor are patients, crisis intervention, and substance abuse.

Corrections counselor vs counselor overview

Corrections CounselorCounselor
Yearly salary$48,875$36,225
Hourly rate$23.50$17.42
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs77,13277,536
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4244
Years of experience--

What does a corrections counselor do?

A corrections counselor develops and implements rehabilitation plans for parolees and inmates. They work directly with criminal offenders to facilitate individual or group counseling sessions to identify the reasons for their behavior, help them work through their issues, give the necessary interventions, and determine whether they can be released back into society. Besides monitoring the progress of the inmates, a corrections counselor may also help parolees and offenders prepare for their release to prevent them from going back to the life of crime. Additionally, a corrections counselor keeps records of all inmates and regularly reports to senior staff.

What does a counselor do?

Often, counselors are known to be the go-to person in times we are in need of emotional and psychological support. They help people to manage and overcome the issues which affect their mental health and well-being. Counselors face different kind of situations which may involve trauma, addiction, disabilities, abuse, suicide, anger management, career, and even personal relationships. They provide care, counseling, rehabilitation, and support services. Every counseling requires collaborative effort both from the counselor and client to become effective.

Corrections counselor vs counselor salary

Corrections counselors and counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Corrections CounselorCounselor
Average salary$48,875$36,225
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $66,000Between $19,000 And $67,000
Highest paying CitySanta Rosa, CA-
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyMaxim Healthcare Group-
Best paying industryGovernmentEducation

Differences between corrections counselor and counselor education

There are a few differences between a corrections counselor and a counselor in terms of educational background:

Corrections CounselorCounselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorCriminal JusticePsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachUniversity of Pennsylvania

Corrections counselor vs counselor demographics

Here are the differences between corrections counselors' and counselors' demographics:

Corrections CounselorCounselor
Average age4244
Gender ratioMale, 49.3% Female, 50.7%Male, 38.5% Female, 61.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 15.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 3.5% White, 63.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage11%9%

Differences between corrections counselor and counselor duties and responsibilities

Corrections counselor example responsibilities.

  • Train in pepper spray, handcuffs, and CPR.
  • Provide first aid and or CPR as needed.
  • Administer risk/needs assessment to offenders using motivational interviewing techniques.
  • Utilize and demonstrate proficiency in risk reduction skills including motivational interviewing and cognitive strategies.
  • Develop re-entry plans for offenders within establish time frames and in accordance with departmental procedures.
  • Assist inmates with selecting educational and job training programs to enhance their opportunity for rehabilitation and future employment.
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Counselor example responsibilities.

  • Maintain a safe program through ongoing CPI training.
  • Utilize de-escalation skills (CPI) when necessary.
  • Instill confidence, improve all components of writing and reading, and study strategies.
  • Arrange ESL tutoring and perform as liaison between students, parents, and school administrators.
  • Advise students into their major field of study, and assisting them with choosing the correct curriculum.
  • Operate a full service litigation office that evolve from general litigation to criminal litigation to federal criminal trials.
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Corrections counselor vs counselor skills

Common corrections counselor skills
  • Mental Health, 16%
  • Substance Abuse, 16%
  • Social Work, 10%
  • Crisis Intervention, 6%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • Criminal Justice, 6%
Common counselor skills
  • Patients, 13%
  • Crisis Intervention, 12%
  • Substance Abuse, 12%
  • Social Work, 10%
  • Community Resources, 4%
  • CPR, 4%

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