Correctional Officer / Jailer

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.

O*NET reports this occupation under titles such as: Booking Officer; Community Services Officer (CSO); Correctional Officer; Corrections Officer (CO); Deputy Jailer; Detention Deputy; Detention Officer; Jail Officer; Jailer; Jailor

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.

Knowledge

• Public Safety and Security
• English Language
• Law and Government
• Administration and Management
• Customer and Personal Service
• Administrative
• Computers and Electronics
• Psychology
• Education and Training
• Telecommunications

Skills

• Active Listening
• Monitoring
• Speaking
• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Active Learning
• Writing
• Learning Strategies

Abilities

• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Speech Clarity
• Near Vision
• Speech Recognition
• Written Comprehension
• Selective Attention
• Information Ordering
• Flexibility of Closure
• Far Vision
• Stamina
• Written Expression
• Perceptual Speed
• Time Sharing
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Manual Dexterity
• Multilimb Coordination
• Reaction Time
• Static Strength
• Explosive Strength
• Dynamic Strength
• Trunk Strength
• Extent Flexibility
• Auditory Attention