Correctional Officer Training & Career Guide

Updated October 29, 2025 Table of Contents

Protect and serve within correctional institutions.
Correctional officers maintain order and safety inside jails, prisons, and detention facilities. This 2025 guide explains how to become a correctional officer, including education, academy training, and job advancement.

What Does a Correctional Officer Do?

Correctional officers supervise individuals awaiting trial or serving sentences. They enforce facility rules, maintain discipline, and ensure the safety of staff and inmates.

Typical responsibilities include:

Monitoring inmate activities and enforcing rules
Conducting security inspections and cell searches
Escorting inmates between facilities or to court hearings
Responding to emergencies and maintaining order during disturbances
Writing incident and behavior reports
Supervising rehabilitation or educational activities

Correctional officers may work in local jails, state or federal prisons, or private detention centers.

What You’ll Learn in Correctional Officer Training

Training focuses on communication, safety, and crisis management skills. Programs combine classroom instruction with academy-based physical and tactical training.

Common topics include:

Criminal Justice Fundamentals: Law, procedure, and inmate rights
Crisis Management: Conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques
Security Operations: Surveillance, searches, and contraband control
Self-Defense & Restraint: Physical training and defensive tactics
Emergency Response: Fire, riot, and evacuation procedures
Ethics & Professional Conduct: Maintaining fairness and integrity in corrections

Most correctional officers complete a state or federal training academy before employment.

Education & Program Options

While some entry-level positions accept a high school diploma, many agencies prefer or require college coursework or degrees in criminal justice or law enforcement.

Typical training routes:

Certificate or Diploma Programs: Fast-track training for entry-level roles
Associate Degree in Criminal Justice: 2-year degree for career advancement
Bachelor’s Degree: Preferred for federal positions and supervisory roles
Correctional Officer Academy: Required by most state and federal agencies

Applicants must pass background checks, fitness assessments, and psychological evaluations.

Skills You’ll Need to Succeed

Correctional officers rely on discipline, communication, and quick decision-making to maintain safety.

Top skills include:

Calm judgment under pressure
Verbal and nonverbal communication
Physical fitness and stamina
Conflict resolution and teamwork
Integrity and adherence to procedures

These abilities help officers maintain security and support positive inmate rehabilitation.

Certification & Requirements

Each state and agency has unique hiring and certification requirements. Most correctional officers must complete a state-approved academy and pass written and physical exams.

Common requirements:

U.S. citizenship and at least 18–21 years of age
High school diploma or equivalent (some require college credits)
Clean criminal background and psychological screening
Successful completion of a correctional officer training academy
Firearms or defensive tactics certification (where applicable)

Federal positions through the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) typically require a bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.

How to Become a Correctional Officer

Earn a high school diploma or GED
Complete college coursework in criminal justice (optional but recommended)
Apply to local, state, or federal correctional agencies
Attend and complete correctional officer academy training
Pass physical fitness and background screenings
Begin your career in state, federal, or private correctional facilities

With experience, officers can advance to sergeant, lieutenant, or warden positions.

Median Pay (2024) $57,970 $27.87 per hour

Job Outlook (2024–2034) -7.8% -30,100 jobs (2024–2034) • 30,100 annual openings

Mean Pay (2024)

$62,760 per year $30.17 per hour

Wage Percentiles

10th Percentile $41,750

$20.07 per hour

25th Percentile $47,520

$22.84 per hour

75th Percentile $75,330

$36.22 per hour

90th Percentile $93,000

$44.71 per hour

Employment Outlook

2024 387,500

2034 357,400

Employment: 387,500 → 357,400 jobs by 2034 (-7.8%)

30,100 projected openings each year

Additional Details

Share of U.S. Employment: 0.2%
Employment per 1,000 Jobs: 2.37
Employment RSE: 0.4%
Projected Annual Openings: 30,100

While growth may vary by state, correctional officers continue to play a vital role in public safety and rehabilitation. Opportunities remain steady, especially for qualified candidates with formal education and academy experience.

Professional Associations & Resources

American Correctional Association (ACA): Training, certification, and policy resources
Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP): Federal career opportunities and hiring process
National Institute of Corrections (NIC): Leadership training and development
American Jail Association (AJA): Networking and professional education

Career Paths

Correctional officers can specialize or advance into:

Sergeant, Lieutenant, or Captain (supervisory positions)
Correctional Counselor or Case Manager
Probation or Parole Officer
Training or Academy Instructor
Warden or Facility Administrator

Additional education in criminal justice or public administration can lead to management or investigative careers.

Find Correctional Officer Programs Near You

Ready to protect your community and uphold justice?
Compare accredited correctional officer training and academy programs near you to start your career in law enforcement and public safety.

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