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.
Corrections counselor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real corrections counselor resumes:
- 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.
- Participate in the development and implementation of specific plans and goals for rehabilitation and gradual reintegration into the community.
- Deliver programs to offenders that are design to assist in a successful re-entry into the community following release from incarceration.
- Remain non-denominational, open, flexible and ecumenical in service to patients while also providing additional resources from local spiritual communities.
- Adhere to court subpoenas when need.
- Issue subpoenas to state witnesses, law enforcement officers and complainants.
- Organize and lead regular youth and college bible studies, teaching about prayer and promoting spirituality.
Corrections counselor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Corrections Counselors are proficient in Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Social Work. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Compassion, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Corrections Counselors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Mental Health, 16%
Referred inmates to appropriate community mental health treatment centers, alcohol and abuse programs and educational institutions.
- Substance Abuse, 16%
Facilitated various treatment groups including domestic violence, anger management, substance abuse, and cognitive restructuring.
- Social Work, 10%
Provide task supervision to undergrad/graduate social work and criminal justice interns.
- Crisis Intervention, 6%
Provided trauma informed and gender responsive case management and crisis intervention for clients in the maximum-security cell house.
- Rehabilitation, 6%
Participated in the development and implementation of specific plans and goals for rehabilitation and gradual reintegration into the community.
- Criminal Justice, 6%
Recommend treatment plan for clients to program manager and criminal justice officials.
"mental health," "substance abuse," and "social work" are among the most common skills that corrections counselors use at work. You can find even more corrections counselor responsibilities below, including:
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a corrections counselor to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what corrections counselors do because "school and career counselors and advisors interpret student records, schoolwide data, and assessments to match interests and abilities with potential careers. ." Additionally, a corrections counselor resume shows how corrections counselors use analytical skills: "arranged and maintained databases for the unit management team. "
Compassion. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling corrections counselor duties is compassion. The role rewards competence in this skill because "school and career counselors and advisors often work with people who are dealing with stressful and difficult situations, so they must be able to empathize with their clients and students." According to a corrections counselor resume, here's how corrections counselors can utilize compassion in their job responsibilities: "provide at-risk youth with therapeutic and compassionate services. "
Interpersonal skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of corrections counselors is interpersonal skills. This skill is critical to many everyday corrections counselor duties, as "school and career counselors and advisors must be able to work with people of all backgrounds and personalities." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "provided stress management, interpersonal communications, and pistol/shotgun training to staff on a regular basis. "
Listening skills. A big part of what corrections counselors do relies on "listening skills." You can see how essential it is to corrections counselor responsibilities because "school and career counselors and advisors need to give full attention to students and clients in order to understand their problems." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical corrections counselor tasks: "conducted inmate legal calls, communicated with inmate families, law enforcement, and outside community agencies. "
Speaking skills. A commonly-found skill in corrections counselor job descriptions, "speaking skills" is essential to what corrections counselors do. Corrections counselor responsibilities rely on this skill because "school and career counselors and advisors must communicate effectively with clients and students." You can also see how corrections counselor duties rely on speaking skills in this resume example: "addressed offender mental health and medical needs with appropriate staff. "
The three companies that hire the most corrections counselors are:
- The Salvation Army3 corrections counselors jobs
- State of Georgia: Teachers Retirement System of Georgia2 corrections counselors jobs
- CFG Health Systems2 corrections counselors jobs
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Compare different corrections counselors
Corrections counselor vs. Counselor internship
When it comes to Counselor Internship, among the primary responsibilities is to assist in dealing with various activities such as preparing and verifying necessary documentation, observing consultations and outreach programs, guide clients and help develop multiple helpful strategies, and provide assessments. Furthermore, one can conduct counseling and consultation only under supervision. It is also essential to track the information gathered and coordinate with assigned personnel to adhere to the company's regulations and policies.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, corrections counselor responsibilities require skills like "mental health," "substance abuse," "social work," and "rehabilitation." Meanwhile a typical counselor internship has skills in areas such as "intake assessments," "substance abuse issues," "mental health issues," and "group therapy sessions." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Counselor interns really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $51,629. Comparatively, corrections counselors tend to make the most money in the government industry with an average salary of $53,387.The education levels that counselor interns earn slightly differ from corrections counselors. In particular, counselor interns are 3.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a corrections counselor. Additionally, they're 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Corrections counselor vs. Alcohol and drug counselor
A drug & alcohol counselor treats addicts in either one-on-one or group settings. They help by educating and developing possible treatment plans for patients to support them in coping with their addictive personalities. A drug and alcohol counselor will evaluate to determine the progress has been successfully made towards recovery. They help patients better understand and overcome their addictions. Counselors help through offering support, rehabilitation, and guidance by using various techniques. Drug & alcohol counselors seek to help an addict find the source of their addiction.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real corrections counselor resumes. While corrections counselor responsibilities can utilize skills like "mental health," "substance abuse," "criminal justice," and "correctional facility," alcohol and drug counselors use skills like "patients," "substance abuse treatment," "treatment services," and "intake assessments."
Alcohol and drug counselors may earn a lower salary than corrections counselors, but alcohol and drug counselors earn the most pay in the professional industry with an average salary of $44,333. On the other hand, corrections counselors receive higher pay in the government industry, where they earn an average salary of $53,387.In general, alcohol and drug counselors achieve higher levels of education than corrections counselors. They're 6.1% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.5% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for corrections counselors in the next 3-5 years?
Juleen Buser Ph.D.
Professor and Director, School Counseling and Coaching Programs, Rider University
Corrections counselor vs. Mental health counselor
A mental health counselor is responsible for helping patients deal with their emotional and mental disorders by developing treatment plans and conducting regular counseling to track the patient's progress and condition. Mental health counselors encourage active communication from their patients, provide coping strategies for triggering situations, seek advice from other health care professionals, and guide patients on doing other activities that would help them relax. A mental health counselor must have excellent knowledge of the mental health disciplines to assist patients in their healthy lifestyle development.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a corrections counselor is likely to be skilled in "substance abuse," "criminal justice," "correctional facility," and "treatment programs," while a typical mental health counselor is skilled in "patients," "patient care," "mental health issues," and "family therapy."
Mental health counselors earn the best pay in the health care industry, where they command an average salary of $52,181. Corrections counselors earn the highest pay from the government industry, with an average salary of $53,387.When it comes to education, mental health counselors tend to earn higher degree levels compared to corrections counselors. In fact, they're 14.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.0% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Corrections counselor vs. Guidance counselor
The primary role of a Guidance Counselor is to help students develop skills for success, both in academics and social development. They also develop and implement educational and counseling plans with modern methods of teaching and mentoring.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between corrections counselors and guidance counselors, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a corrections counselor might have more use for skills like "social work," "rehabilitation," "criminal justice," and "correctional facility." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of guidance counselors require skills like "professional development," "financial aid," "child abuse," and "k-12. "
The education industry tends to pay the highest salaries for guidance counselors, with average annual pay of $50,444. Comparatively, the highest corrections counselor annual salary comes from the government industry.In general, guidance counselors hold higher degree levels compared to corrections counselors. Guidance counselors are 21.9% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.9% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of corrections counselor
Updated January 8, 2025
