advantages

1. Pay and Benefits

For a job that can potentially lead to a well-paying career that only requires a high school diploma or GED, the starting salary and benefits a newly hired corrections officer receives are pretty good.

With a starting salary of about $35k, with medical, dental, vacation, paid training and more, it’s a career that’s hard to pass up.

Chances are you’re employed by a federal, state, or local organization, so you’ll also have the added incentive of a government retirement plan that typically allows for retirement after 20 years of service.

2. Job security

Crime is a part of life and the unfortunate reality is that in most of the world it is on the rise. Take that combined with the fact that the United States currently holds the most inmates in the world; it’s easy to see why many feel there is great job security in being a corrections officer.

Additionally, with the increased construction of detention centers and prisons across the country, the need to staff these new facilities with qualified and trained staff to ensure that the need for corrections officers continues to be in high demand for years to come.

3. Breakthrough potential

Since the entry-level educational requirements for a corrections officer are only a high school diploma or GED, the requirements needed to advance to a higher position can be simple.

Complete the basic training academy that most would have already completed. They are currently employed as a CO, completing a two- or four-year degree program, and have 1-3 years of direct experience as a Corrections Officer depending on the position you are pursuing.

Cons

1. Hours and programming

As a new employee at any entry-level correctional facility, you most likely won’t have much say in the hours or days you must work. This can be a big disadvantage for single parents or for people who need more control over their work schedules. Most officers find that as they complete their probationary period and increase their time on the job, this is a situation that slowly corrects itself over time.

2. High-stress environment

By the very nature of the job, there is an almost unavoidable level of stress that you will encounter on a daily basis. How you deal with that stress will determine how long you will last as a correctional officer. Some people are not able to cope with stress, but many more can cope and succeed in the job.

3.Security

Working as a Correctional Officer obviously requires you to work near and around prisoners and inmates who have committed various levels of crimes. You must not only be on guard for your own personal safety while on duty, but also protect the lives of inmates when the need arises, such as breaking up prison fights, riots, or any other. type of disturbances.

With all things, proper job training and knowledge of the environment in which you will be working is essential to your success. The cons listed above can be daunting, but they are manageable and can be dealt with as you become more involved and seek more information.