Job satisfaction and challenges for corrections officers

Criminal Justice Administration: Corrections Officers

Job satisfactions of corrections officers

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the primary duty of corrections officers is to perform the often-stressful work of overseeing individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or who have been convicted of a crime and are sentenced to serve time in a jail, reformatory, or penitentiary. Corrections officers are in charge of monitoring prisoner behavior, ensuring that prisoners do not engage in physical or verbal intimidation in their interactions with one another, or continue their criminal activities behind bars. Officers may also supervise inmates' visits with friends or family members. The satisfactions derived from the occupation, in addition to upholding the law and protecting the safety of the public (as is the case with all criminal justice administrative positions) is that the efforts of corrections officers will hopefully result the rehabilitation of inmates and that former prisoners can become law-abiding individuals. Although some of the population may not be released, most prisoners will eventually be paroled and corrections officers can play an important role in helping inmates turn their lives around by facilitating inmates' educational efforts, giving inmates appropriate work assignments, and ensuring inmates receive appropriate psychological, drug treatment, and vocational advice and counseling (Corrections officer, 2008, U.S. Department of Labor Statistics).

Job outlook

The position of a corrections officer can be extremely difficult to fill because officers must deal with constantly monitoring inmates for infringements of the rules during inmate activities, leisure and work assignments. Unlike policemen who know that they may run the risk of coming into contact with criminals, every day corrections officers know that they are facing convicted criminals when they go to work, and know that their level of physical risk and psychological stress will be high. "Sometimes, officers must search inmates and their living quarters for contraband like weapons or drugs, settle disputes between inmates, and enforce discipline. Correctional officers periodically inspect the facilities, checking cells and other areas of the institution for unsanitary conditions, contraband, fire hazards, and any evidence of infractions of rules. In addition, they routinely inspect locks, window bars, grilles, doors, and gates for signs of tampering. Finally, officers inspect mail and visitors for prohibited items" Corrections officer, 2008, U.S. Department of Labor Statistics). Even the minutest activity, like inspecting mail, requires following strict protocol, because of the need to intercept and prevent potentially criminal and/or violent behavior.

Impact of financially-focused course

This course has provided illuminating insight about the impact of finance upon the ability of the prison system to combat crime. While increasing the safety of the public may seem priceless, policing comes at a high price tag, and it can be difficult to communicate the need for greater revenue to create a more functional prison system to the public. The police, the courts, and the corrections system must all work together to ensure the public is kept safe, and the potential for rehabilitation of inmates is maximized. This will reduce recidivism, reduce the prison population over time, and by taking such a 'long-term view' even reduce costs by reducing the need for prisons.