Inmates must be regularly monitored and rehabilitated as they serve their sentences: therefore, correctional facilities employ correctional officers who help in the rehabilitation process by enforcing rules and maintaining order. These professionals also conduct searches and patrols to ensure that prisoners and prison staff are safe.
Our article will focus on correctional officers’ job descriptions and resumes for those who would like to work in correctional facilities- military or law enforcement experience notwithstanding. We will cover the roles and responsibilities of military officers as well as the surrounding qualifications, i.e., experience, skills, and education. We have included two resume examples and an elaborate FAQs section to help you apply. Let’s find out more about this role!
Correctional Officer Job Description
Correctional officers, also known as prison guards, work in the state, federal, and private jails, prisons, and correctional facilities, where they oversee and monitor inmates during rehabilitation. Their primary roles include enforcing all prison rules, ensuring the safe transportation of prisoners, upholding the safety of prisoners and other prison staff, conducting personal and general searches, documenting inmate behaviors, and regularly reporting to directors of correctional services.
Since job is mentally and physically draining, they must have the physical and emotional strength and stamina to work intense, long, and demanding hours. These officers should also be ready to interact with prisoners cautiously and subdue unruly ones to maintain peace and order in the correctional facility.
Correctional Officer Roles and Responsibilities
- Abiding by and enforcing all prison/ correctional facility rules, regulations, and guidelines
- Helping new inmates ease into the prison environment by giving them new clothing and personal effects
- Performing general oversight and monitoring of inmates
- Conducting daily headcounts to ensure that all prisoners are present
- Preventing prison breakouts by actively guarding entrances and exits
- Ensuring that inmates are connected to the outside world by reviewing all incoming and outgoing emails
- Performing frequent searches on inmates, work areas, vehicles, and housing spaces for contraband
- Escorting visitors to and from the prison/correctional facility
- Preparing, submitting, and occasionally presenting detailed reports on the general conduct of prisoners
- Following all prison protocols in the discharge of duties
- Participating in search parties for prison escapees
- Offering assistance to prisoners by answering their queries and concerns but within certain limits
- Conducting regular patrols on prison grounds to identify any security breaches or contrabands
- Screening visitors at entry points to ensure that they don’t smuggle in any contrabands
- Disciplining inmates and using de-escalation strategies and tactics to a reasonable degree
- Constantly observing and monitoring the behaviors, health, and activities of prisoners
- Looking out for and managing any threats or disturbances
- Watching over prisoners outside their cells, e.g., during mealtimes or recreational activities
- Ensuring that prisoners are safely transported and escorted between cells and facilities
- Closely monitoring prisoners in solitary confinement
- Taking suitable precautions when directly interacting with prisoners
Correctional Officer Required Knowledge and Skills
- Knowledge of first aid procedures and techniques
- Excellent observational skills
- Strong attentiveness to details
- Physical stamina and strength
- Excellent conflict resolution skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work well under pressure
- High levels of confidence
- Excellent negotiation skills
- Ability to adhere to a strict schedule
- Ability to take and give orders effectively
- High levels of perceptiveness and self-awareness
- Ability to work in potentially dangerous environments
- Outstanding interpersonal skills
- Ability to act swiftly in response to emergencies
- Excellent leadership skills
- Excellent report writing and presentation skills
- Sound judgment skills
- Excellent decision-making skills
- Excellent driving and navigation skills
- Crisis management skills
- High levels of integrity
- Self-defense skills
- Ability to work for longer shifts/ stand for more prolonged durations
Correctional Officer Education and Experience
- A high school diploma or equivalent graduate degree (GED)
- Experience using/ handling firearms and related weapons
- Experience in the military or law enforcement (not mandatory but a plus)
- A valid driver’s license
- Solid experience in self-defense
- Experience working in team settings
- Experience working with inmates/law offenders
Correctional Officer Salary
According to Glassdoor, correctional officers earn roughly $68,000 yearly, the total of their base and additional pay. The base pay stands at approximately $39,000, while bonuses can reach $29,000 or more. Senior correctional officers, such as the director of correctional services, earn $75,000+ yearly, depending on different factors such as the facility of engagement.
Correctional Officer CV Example 1
Dave Maxwell
Physical address: 158 Weber Road, Jackson, Ohio (OH), 56787
Email address: maxdave15@gmail.com
Phone number: (670) 987- 6789
Personal Profile
Professional correctional officer with ten years of experience in law enforcement. A criminal justice expert with an in-depth understanding of rehabilitation techniques and procedures, having contributed to the successful rehabilitation of 1500+ inmates. Qualified crisis manager ready to work and intervene in potentially dangerous environments at any given time.
Work Experience
06/2019- 08/2022, Senior Correctional Officer, Cincinnati State Prisons, Cincinnati, Ohio
- Maintained security within the 1000+ inmate population and ensured the health and safety of both staff and inmates
- Appointed a member of the Emergency Response Team in 2020
- Regularly coordinated and supervised head counts for inmates within the violent crimes section
- Ensured that all keys, supplies, and equipment security procedures were complied with within my three years of service.
- Managed to successfully restrain and control inmates during 20+ incidences, preventing any form of violence
- Started and completed a specialized training program on crisis intervention and management
- Responded to and ensured the successful management of 100+ major emergencies
- Ensured 100% compliance with inmate transport policies and best practices during doctor visits and court appearances
- Regularly monitored 1000+ inmates’ behavior and reported any unusual occurrences
- Identified and developed 20+ training rehabilitation programs to meet facility needs
- Spearheaded a security vulnerability assessment program for successful identification and resolution of internal issues
- Collaborated with the 25-member inmate rehabilitation team to accurately assess situations and offer the best responses
- Participated in the training of 10+ correctional officers
05/2016- 04/ 2019, Correctional Officer, Augustus Private Correctional Center, Austin Texas
- Employed as a private correctional officer on a one-year contract, which was extended to three for exceptional service and high professional standards
- Actively supervised the daily operations and behaviors of 900+ inmates in a private facility
- Inspected facilities at least thrice a week in collaboration with other correctional officers for contrabands, potential security breaches, and rules violation
- Maintained guard at premises’ entry and exit points, successfully preventing the attempted escape of three prisoners disguised as prison staff
- Actively participated in the rehabilitation and counseling of at least 30 new offenders monthly, thanks to my criminal justice knowledge and background
- Occasionally schedules work assignments, educational opportunities, and counseling sessions for the 200+ member violent section wing
- Discovered 50 well-hidden contrabands in my second month of work, instantly earning the best employee of the month
- Actively participated in the settling of disputes between inmates, reducing cases of violence in my wing by 90%
02/2013- 03/2016, Juvenile Correctional Officers, Buckley Youth Correctional and Rehabilitation Centre, San Diego, CA
- Taught 500+ juvenile offenders basic life skills, behavioral management, and problem-solving skills as part of their rehabilitation and integration back into the society
- Observed and recorded rehabilitation progress of the junior offenders and reported to the 5-member supervision team
- Participated in three monthly transport convoys for inmates to and from court hearings
- Patrolled correctional facility at least five times during my shift to ensure cleanliness, hygiene, and proper sanitization
- Work closely with juveniles and their families, offering 20+ counseling referrals from my network and the facility’s network monthly
- Closely observed and recorded the mental and physical health and behavioral concerns within the 500- juvenile population and informed the right persons.
Education
- 03/2008- 11/ 2012, Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice, University of Cincinnati, Ohio
- 03/2005- 07/2007, High School Diploma, Cincinnati College Preparatory School, Cincinnati, Ohio
Skills
- Languages
- English
- French
- Spanish
Technical Skills
- First Aid
- Analytical
- Weapon handling
- Crowd control
- Report writing
- Patrolling
- Driving
- Situation assessment
- Crisis management
- Self-defense
- Technical problem solving
- General fitness
Soft Skills
- Verbal and written communication
- Stress management
- Emotional intelligence
- Conflict management
- Resourcefulness
- Time management
- Collaboration
- Decision making
- Adaptability
- Active listening
- Flexibility
- Organization
Certifications
03/2017, Certified Corrections Officer
Correctional Officer CV Example 2
Alexander Rostova
Physical address: 2330 Peregrine Drive, Avon, Ohio (OH), 45012
Email address: rostovaalex7@gmail.com
Phone number: (644) 897- 90876
Personal Profile
Certified correctional officer with a strong law enforcement background, including two years as a police officer. A jail officer with vast experience working in potentially dangerous environments ready to contribute to the rehabilitation of hard-core and petty criminal offenders. An excellent decision-maker with excellent crisis management and patrolling skills required for job execution.
Work Experience
03/2019- 06/2022, Senior correctional Officer, Avery Rehabilitation Centre
- Participated in the active transportation of 1000+ inmates to and from court proceedings
- Regularly fingerprinted and photographed 300+ incoming and outgoing inmates monthly
- Prepared and submitted weekly and monthly reports on the conduct of the prisoners and the performance of other junior staff members
- Spearheaded a mentorship program for junior prison officials with the director of correctional services permission, nurturing 20+ young correctional officers yearly
- Awarded the best senior employee and crisis manager for the year in 2021 for excellent situational leadership and successful crisis intervention
- Appointed as a permanent member of the facility’s policies review board in August 2021
03/2016- 01/2019, Correctional Officer, Violent Crimes Section, Transfromatics Prison, El Paso, Texas
- Communicated effectively and enforced sanctions, including loss of privileges to enforce rules and keep order within the violent crimes wing
- Collaborated with law enforcement agencies in 15 successful investigations and escapee searches
- Prepared 100%-accurate inmate-related reports and logged in details of inmate behavior daily
- Took up an extra self-defense course focused on pressure point training, adding to my collection of combat and self-defense tactics
- Became the youngest correctional officer in the history of the facility to lead a mentorship program
- Scheduled work assignments, educational opportunities, and counseling for 70+ violent crimes inmates
- Awarded the best employee of the month in 2017 for recovering the highest number of contrabands in the history of the prison through well-conducted and detailed searches
02/2013- 11/2015, Junior Police Officer, 9111 Precinct, New York
- Successfully interviewed 1000+ witnesses and potential suspects
- Learned and managed to stop 30 crimes in progress, five being without backup
- Ensured 100% compliance with all the rules and regulations aimed at protecting individual rights during raids, arrests, and arraignment
- Significantly increased strength and endurance through rigorous physical training
- Occasionally testified in court, helping the resolution of 100+ cases and perpetrators being brought to justice
Education
- 03/2009- 05/2012, Bachelor of Science in Police Studies, Eastern Kentucky University
- 03/2005- 06/2007, High School Diploma, Cleveland Senior High School, Cleveland, Ohio
Skills
- Languages
- Russian
- French
- English
Technical Skills
- Crowd control
- Tactical driving
- Weapon handling
- Situational assessment
- Report writing
- Self-defense
- General Combat
- Crisis management and intervention
- Firearm safety
- Patrolling
- Analytical
- First Aid
- CPR
Soft Skills
- Flexibility
- Verbal and written communication
- Decision making
- Stress management
- Leadership
- Resourcefulness
- Persuasion
- Conflict management
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Adaptability
- Critical thinking
- Empathy
- Organization
Certifications
- 03/2019, Certified Corrections Manager
- 02/2014 l, Certified Jail Officer
Correctional Officers Resume Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Are There Correctional Officer Certifications That I Can Pursue for a Better Resume?
Yes. Almost every job globally has relevant certifications that validate knowledge or competence. We urge you to get as many job-related certifications as possible to have a competitive advantage over other applicants. Here are some of the most common ones for correction officers:
- Certified Corrections Officer (COO)- This is one of the most common professional certifications for correctional officers. It has to be renewed after every three years.
- Certified Corrections Manager (CCM)- This certification is greatly recommended for correctional officers planning to get into management later in their careers. It proves the ability to develop policies and procedures for correctional facilities. Like the previous one, it has to be renewed every three years
- NUI Instructor Certification- The NUAI Instructor Certification is often awarded to people who can act as role models or mentors. It doesn’t require any renewal and applies to juvenile detention officers, correctional officers, and lieutenants.
Other certifications worth pursuing for a better resume include Certified Security Supervision and Management (CSS) certification, Certified Jail Officer (CJO), which requires renewal after every four years, and Certified in Homeland Security Certification (CHS). The more credentials you have, the higher your chances of getting a good job
2. Which Technical Skills Should I Include in My Resume?
There are lots of processes and technicalities involved in working in correctional facilities, making it imperative to possess many role-specific skills. Here are a few to include in your resume to increase your chances of success: first aid skills, CPR, combat skills for self-defense, weapon handling skills, excellent analytical skills, high levels of physical fitness, outstanding technical problem-solving skills, excellent report writing skills, ability to respond to emergencies fast and crisis management skills.
Additional skills worth mentioning include excellent patrolling skills, firearm safety skills, ability to control crowds, ability to maintain order and safety, excellent situation assessment skills, in-depth understanding of security procedures, and excellent driving skills, given that they are often involved in the transportation/relocation of inmates.
You can also highlight some of these skills in your experience section, which should be written in ‘achievement’ form, just like we have done in our resume examples.
3. Which Keywords Should I Use in My Correctional Officer Resume?
Keywords can be role-specific skills or terminologies capable of telling the hiring manager that you understand what the job entails and have what it takes to succeed if given a chance. Here are a few worth using for a rich resume: patrolling, crowd control, crisis management, correctional facility, prison transit, cell searches, rehabilitation, law enforcement, firearm safety, firearm handling, corrections, police, investigation, security, surveillance, security operations, private investigations and weapon handling.
Additional keywords include physical security, emergency management, criminal justice, public safety, crime prevention, personal searches, monitoring, guarding, crisis intervention, situational assessment, prison escort, reporting, etc. When writing these skills, ensure you review the job posting thoroughly to determine what the hiring manager wants. Also, ensure you include industry skills such as security and criminal justice, and you will be good to go.
4. How Can I Write the Perfect Correctional Officer Resume?
Like any other resume, a correctional officer’s resume should be broken down into sections. Ensure that you have a resume header, resume summary, employment history section, education section, and resume skills section. You can also add two extra sections, i.e., Certifications and volunteer experience, where applicable.
Your resume must also clearly show that you can perform if given a chance. Your work experience section should be written in ‘achievement form,’ detailing your success in your place of work. Also, show that you can exercise excellent judgment and possess enough physical strength. Lastly, your resume must highlight your knowledge of rehabilitation methods.
5. How Can I Make My Resume Appealing to Applicant Tracking Systems?
Organizations use Applicant Tracking Systems whose algorithms are built on online application portals. To be on the safe side, first ensure you conduct a thorough review of the job description to identify all the words emphasized by the potential employer, which will be your keywords. They should be written in the exact language as in the job description and evenly spread to avoid keyword stuffing. Lastly, do not lie to get past the applicant tracking systems – the hiring manager will call out your bluff in the interview.