Correctional Officer Career Essay

Correctional officers are members of the penal system who ensures that the
rules and regulations of the prison or jail are followed. A correctional officer
provides supervision, care, and rehabilitation to inmates. These officers are
responsible for the security and wellbeing of all of the inmates and employee at
any given facility. Members of this profession hold inmates accountable for their
actions, and take disciplinary action if the rules and regulations of the facility are
not followed. Correctional officers are armed with both lethal and non-lethal
weapons in order to ensure the security of everyone, and officers are often required
to restrain, or subdue an unruly inmate. Correctional officers often work long and
irregular hours, and since prisons need security 24/7 an officer will often have to
work weekends and holidays as well. In this profession you must also conduct
searches for contraband, such as strip searches, and room searches to ensure that
there are not weapons such as shanks in the prison which could threaten inmate
and officer lives. The duties of a correctional officer can be anything but ordinary,
you simply do not know when a riot will occur, or if you will be attacked by an
inmate that day, so correctional officers must be actively prepared for the worst
possible scenario.

In order to be an effective correctional officer you must possess speaking

ability, you must be able to give clear and decisive orders to inmates. Critical
thinking and active listening are also important abilities in order to be a successful
correctional officer. Composure is important because undoubtedly you will be
verbally abused by an inmate, and you cant retaliate or jaw back at him or her, you
must keep your composure and let it go. You have to be able to recognize a
problem or a potential problem in order to eliminate the problem from growing.
You have to be aware of others reactions, and understand why they reacted that
way to you, you have to have social perceptiveness. And overall I think that the
most important skill of being a correctional officer is just being aware at all times,
you have to be alert and awake anytime your around inmates, because you simply
dont know what their intentions are, and you have to be prepared and willing to
defend yourself.
In order to become a correctional officer in the state of California you must
possess at least a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university. The
subject in which your degree is in is not a premier issue, although it should be
noted that a degree in criminal justice, or public administration would be most
beneficial. Criminal justice programs are offered at most of the nations colleges,
for example San Diego State University has one of the top ranked criminal justice
bachelors program. But your choice in degree does not factor into becoming a

correctional officer, a degree in anything is sufficient. After you attain your degree
you are required to attend the California Department of Corrections and
Rehabilitation Academy. This intense 16-week program in Gail, California
challenges incoming recruits physically, mentally, and emotionally. You receive
firearms training, self-defense, and the characteristics of prison gangs. You also get
physically fit and learn what it takes to be a correctional officer. From there you are
assigned a California located jail or prison where you undergo a two year paid
apprenticeship, after that you become a correctional officer. The average salary of a
correctional officer in the state of California is 65,000 dollars a year. The average
starting salary in California is 40,000 dollars a year; this figure grows with
experience, a masters degree, and promotion in rank.
Related careers include immigration and customs officers, bailiffs, and
sheriffs. They are all relatable in that all these occupations aim to provide security
and protection. The main differences are in the structures of these different careers,
for example the California prison system is ran by, and controlled by the state of
California, while immigration and custom officers work for Homeland Security,
which is a federal entity. Bailiffs can either be a city, county, state, or federal
employee, depending on the court that they work at. Sheriffs are county
employees, the differences in agencies leads to differing benefits, salary, and
responsibilities. I am very interested in becoming a customs officer as well; I

would enjoy protecting the nation from drug smuggling, human trafficking, and
terrorism, as customs officers do. Customs officers are also paid an impressive
salary, and I just feel like I would enjoy the job.
I feel as though I would be a quality corrections officer because I follow all
details very closely. I make thoughtful and practical decisions which benefit me
and others. Corrections officers must follow details and instructions to the letter,
which according to my personality type I do, you have to be willing and able to
make decisions which protect yourself, and protect inmates and other officers. I
have clear objectives and goals, which I feel inmates would appreciate, like I am
not two faced. I work hard and I am a good motivator, often it takes motivation to
be a successful correctional officer. I just think that Im a practical person who can
get the job done correctly; without allowing my emotions to get in the way. These
are some of my strengths that I feel will help me succeed in a career as a
correctional officer!