Correctional Officers and Jailers
Human Advantage 76%
Significant human skills needed
AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.3 / 10
This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.
Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures. May guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Includes deputy sheriffs and police who spend the majority of their time guarding prisoners in correctional institutions.
Also Known As: Booking Officer, Certified Detention Deputy, Civilian Jail Officer, Community Corrections Officer (CCO), Community Services Officer (CSO), Confinement Officer, Convict Guard, Correction Officer +43 more
Core Tasks
- Conduct head counts to ensure that each prisoner is present.
- Inspect conditions of locks, window bars, grills, doors, and gates at correctional facilities to ensure security and help prevent escapes.
- Monitor conduct of prisoners in housing unit, or during work or recreational activities, according to established policies, regulations, and procedures, to prevent escape or violence.
- Search prisoners and vehicles and conduct shakedowns of cells for valuables and contraband, such as weapons or drugs.
- Guard facility entrances to screen visitors.
- Record information, such as prisoner identification, charges, and incidents of inmate disturbance, keeping daily logs of prisoner activities.
- Inspect mail for the presence of contraband.
- Maintain records of prisoners' identification and charges.
- Use weapons, handcuffs, and physical force to maintain discipline and order among prisoners.
- Use nondisciplinary tools and equipment, such as a computer.
- Conduct fire, safety, and sanitation inspections.
- Take prisoners into custody and escort to locations within and outside of facility, such as visiting room, courtroom, or airport.
- Participate in required job training.
- Serve meals, distribute commissary items, and dispense prescribed medication to prisoners.
- Settle disputes between inmates.
- Provide to supervisors oral and written reports of the quality and quantity of work performed by inmates, inmate disturbances and rule violations, and unusual occurrences.
- Drive passenger vehicles and trucks used to transport inmates to other institutions, courtrooms, hospitals, and work sites.
- Counsel inmates and respond to legitimate questions, concerns, and requests.
- Assign duties to inmates, providing instructions as needed.
- Issue clothing, tools, and other authorized items to inmates.
- Arrange daily schedules for prisoners, including library visits, work assignments, family visits, and counseling appointments.
Supplemental Tasks (6)
- Search for and recapture escapees.
- Process or book convicted individuals into prison.
- Supervise and coordinate work of other correctional service officers.
- Take fingerprints of arrestees, prisoners, or the general public.
- Investigate crimes that have occurred within an institution, or assist police in their investigations of crimes and inmates.
- Sponsor inmate recreational activities, such as newspapers and self-help groups.
Emerging Tasks
New and evolving responsibilities for this role:
- Conduct security checks of the premises.
Education & Training
Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Education Level Distribution
Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.
Technology & Tools
Hot Technologies
Software (14)
Tools & Equipment (30)
Where This Career Leads
Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.
Public Safety Financial Services
Zone 2
Correctional Officers and Jailers You are here
Resume Builder
Select key tasks to generate action-oriented resume bullets for Correctional Officers and Jailers positions.
Your Resume Bullets
Related Occupations
Show all 20 related occupations
Real Talk
Hear from real Correctional Officers and Jailerss about their work: