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How to hire a jail officer

Jail officer hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring jail officers in the United States:

  • There are a total of 6,232 jail officers in the US, and there are currently 57,236 job openings in this field.
  • The median cost to hire a jail officer is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per jail officer on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Manassas, VA, has the highest demand for jail officers, with 2 job openings.

How to hire a jail officer, step by step

To hire a jail officer, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a jail officer:

Here's a step-by-step jail officer hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a jail officer job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new jail officer
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring a jail officer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a jail officer to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a jail officer that fits the bill.

    This list shows salaries for various types of jail officers.

    Type of Jail OfficerDescriptionHourly rate
    Jail OfficerCorrectional officers are responsible for overseeing individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or who have been sentenced to serve time in jail or prison. Bailiffs are law enforcement officers who maintain safety and order in courtrooms.$13-26
    CorporalA police corporal is a person who leads a team or squad depending on how many corporals are there in a platoon. Police corporals supervise the performance of the police personnel assigned under their command... Show more$14-42
    Corrections DeputyA corrections deputy assists senior officers in overseeing the daily activities in jail or prisons and keeps order by enforcing strict rules and regulations. They must observe the inmates' behavior and progress in different programs, monitor any suspicious behavior, conduct routine inspections on cells, and coordinate with co-workers to maintain security... Show more$15-29
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Booking
    • Security Checks
    • Security Procedures
    • Emergency Situations
    • Direct Supervision
    • Master Control
    • County Jail
    • Public Safety
    • CPR
    • Incident Reports
    • Law Enforcement Agencies
    • POD
    • Cell Searches
    • Control Room
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Job description includes booking in and managing inmates in correctional facility.
    • Administer first aid and CPR whenever necessary.
    • Experience and certification in VCIN, and CPR.
    • Run and enter information into NCIC computer network as needed.
    • Patrol assign areas for evidence of unauthorize activities, infractions of rules, unsatisfactory attitudes or unsatisfactory adjustment of inmates.
    • Operate and monitor CCTV, fire suppression and intrusion alarms and systems.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your jail officer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A jail officer can vary based on:

    • Location. For example, jail officers' average salary in missouri is 64% less than in washington.
    • Seniority. Entry-level jail officers 47% less than senior-level jail officers.
    • Certifications. A jail officer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a jail officer's salary.

    Average jail officer salary

    $40,440yearly

    $19.44 hourly rate

    Entry-level jail officer salary
    $29,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 16, 2025
  4. Writing a jail officer job description

    A job description for a jail officer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a jail officer job description:

    Jail officer job description example

    • United States citizen
    • 21 years of age or older
    • High school or GED diploma
    • No felony convictions
    • Valid Driver's License

    Benefits:

    • Insurance (medical, dental, and vision)
    • State Perf Pension
    • Life Insurance
    • Paid Vacations
    • Paid Holidays
    • Paid Training
    • Uniform Issuance
    • Available Overtime

    JAIL OFFICER JOB DESCRIPTION

    1. PURPOSE OF POSITION

    • The Jail Officer is appointed by the Sheriff and is responsible for maintaining security and order in the Jail.

    2. DUTIES

    • Enforces local, state and federal laws by implementing effective policy to protect the lives and property of the people.
    • Performs booking procedures of individuals being detained by photographing, fingerprinting and entering required information into computer terminal, receiving and receipting all money and personal property, and assuring inmates are properly showered, changed into Jail clothing and searched for weapons and other contraband.
    • Performs bonding procedures by completing required forms, receiving and receipting bond money, returning personal belongings and releasing inmate.
    • Maintains Jail control, including monitoring numerous surveillance cameras, entering and retrieving data from computer, opening and closing security doors and gates, and answering telephone calls.
    • Performs duties, including observing inmates for inappropriate behavior, opening and closing cell block doors, logging and releasing inmates for recreation, visitation and various other functions, and overseeing the provision of meals, medication and cleanliness of individual cells.
    • Transports inmates to and from various locations, such as courts, Department of Corrections, medical appointments, and hospitals. Escorts inmates for appearances in court, recreation, visitation, library and other meetings and activities.
    • Provides inmates with daily meals, ensuring all trays, cups and spoons are properly removed from cellblock.
    • Issues prescribed medications according to standing physicians’ orders. Follows appropriate procedures to ensure proper medical attention to inmates.
    • Receives, sorts and logs incoming and outgoing mail and personal items for inmates, as required. Check vehicle identification numbers on out-of-state vehicles as requested.
    • Conducts routine searches of all cells and dormitories for contraband and prepares written reports of findings.
    • Ensures compliance with Jail Rules and Regulations, and reports all unusual and/or unruly activity to appropriate Jail Personnel. Properly secures and/or physically restrains violent and uncontrollable inmates as situations demand.
    • Supervises and directs daily activities of inmate workers, including making work assignments, and ensuring proper accomplishments of duties.
    • Responds to inquiries from family members, attorneys, and members of the general public regarding visitation and status of individual inmates.
    • Prepares and submits to superiors all required reports and summaries of activities according to established Department deadlines.
    • Responds to inmate grievances following established chain of command procedures.
    • Periodically attends seminars and in-service training, as required.
    • Performs all other related duties as assigned.

    3. JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DIFFICULTY OF WORK

    • A high school diploma or GED.
    • Ability to meet all Department hiring and retention requirements, including not posing a direct threat to the health and safety of other individuals in the workplace. Must successfully complete Indiana Law Enforcement School for Jail Officers or equivalent.
    • Knowledge of and ability to follow and make practical application of the customary practices, procedures, rules, regulations and personnel policies of the Department and ability to maintain effective Jail operations.
    • Ability to appropriately receive, maintain and account for articles received in evidence.
    • Ability to qualify annually by obtaining a passing score in the Handgun Course of Fire, as required by the standards of the Indiana Law Enforcement Training Board.
    • Knowledge of and ability to effectively use all assigned Department uniforms and/or equipment, including computer terminal and printer, intercom system, radio, telephone, security cameras, and electric locking devices.
    • Ability to work irregular and/or extended hours as directed or required.
    • Ability to legally operate assigned vehicle.
    • Ability to effectively perform the essential duties of the position, including, but not limited to, booking and processing inmates, monitoring Jail operations, walking and standing for extended periods of time, and physically restraining inmates during emergency situations.
    • Ability to deal swiftly, rationally, and decisively with potentially violent individuals in precarious situations and perform duties despite the stress of potential injuries and/or loss of life to self and/or others.
    • Knowledge of the standard practices and procedures in administering first aid and ability to be certified in CPR.
    • Knowledge of Standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to effectively prepare and complete all required forms and reports within established Department deadlines. Ability to maintain confidentiality of Department information and reports.
    • Ability to effectively listen, comprehend and communicate with the public, other officials and inmates, by intercom system, radio, telephone or in person.

    4. RESPONSIBILITY

    • The Jail Officer performs a variety of recurring duties according to standardized Departmental policies and procedures, selecting applicable methods to take authoritative action in response to situational demands. Errors in decision or work are detected by periodic supervisory review and may lead to injury to self, co-workers, inmates, or the public, adverse effects on Department operations, and inconvenience to members of the public.

    5. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS

    • The Jail Officer maintains frequent contact with Department superiors, offenders detained in the Jail, representatives of other law enforcement departments and agencies, and members of the general public for a variety of purposes, including assisting with coordination of Jail operations, effective and safe housing and processing of inmates, and enforcement of applicable laws. The Jail Officer’s work frequently involves non-routine problem solving to gain cooperation of law offenders in situations that may jeopardize the safety of the public and/or the Jail Officer, including full enforcement of the law.
    • The Jail Officer reports directly to the Jail Corporal.

    6. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

    • The Jail Officer performs duties in a Jail and in an associated vehicle while transporting inmates. The Jail Officer is frequently exposed to hazards associated with Jail operations, such as violent individuals and communicable disease. No prolonged extreme physical demands are associated with normal duties or assignments, but the Jail Officer may exert strenuous physical effort during emergency situations. The Jail Officer must perform duties despite the stress of potential injuries and/or loss of life to self and/or others.
  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find jail officers for your business:

    • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your jail officer job on Zippia to find and recruit jail officer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting jail officers requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new jail officer

    Once you've found the jail officer candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

    It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
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How much does it cost to hire a jail officer?

Recruiting jail officers involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

You can expect to pay around $40,440 per year for a jail officer, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for jail officers in the US typically range between $13 and $26 an hour.

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