Alex What kind of environment does a correctional officer work in?
The work environment for U.S. based correctional officers varies dramatically based upon several factors. First, is the age of the facility in which the correctional officer works. The population explosion in the prison system has caused a building boom of new prison facilities.
How are corrections officers protected by labor laws?
Officers monitoring inmates as they work are protected by both federal and state labor laws that limit work shifts, promote rest breaks and require the payment of overtime wages when applicable. An inmate work detail is a program implemented by state prisons to allow inmates to work while incarcerated.
What’s the typical day of a corrections officer?
A typical day includes monitoring inmate behavior, checking cells for contraband, and seizing objects that could be fashioned into weapons or escape tools. Working in prisons and jails exposes correctional officers to hostile situations, such as conflicts between rival gangs within the inmate population.
Is the Federal Correctional Institution a better place to work?
Traditionally, the federal correctional institutions have received better funding, and are considered better work environments. Conversely, the hiring requirements tend to be more stringent for these positions.
The work environment for U.S. based correctional officers varies dramatically based upon several factors. First, is the age of the facility in which the correctional officer works. The population explosion in the prison system has caused a building boom of new prison facilities.
How many correctional officers are there in Texas?
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has over 100 prison units throughout the State and employs approximately 25,000 Correctional Officers. If you want a good paying job with benefits, stability, promotion opportunities and the chance to perform challenging and important work, a Correctional Officer position may be for you.
Officers monitoring inmates as they work are protected by both federal and state labor laws that limit work shifts, promote rest breaks and require the payment of overtime wages when applicable. An inmate work detail is a program implemented by state prisons to allow inmates to work while incarcerated.
What’s the turnover rate in the corrections system?
Although community supervision agencies typically fare better, probation and parole officer vacancy rates have been reported as high as 20%. [4] And in some state prisons, annual correctional officer turnover rates as high as 55%, test the system’s essential functionality.