Duties and responsibilities of corrections officers in detention facilities

Role of Correction Officers

Corrections officers, also known as detention officers have their work environment within the detention facilities as well as local, state or federal jails, penitentiaries and reformatories. Corrections officers have the duty of controlling individuals who are waiting to be tried or those who have already been convicted. The paper will look at the duties and responsibilities of corrections officers. Focus will be on the role of the correction officers within the social role of inmates and within the jail administration.

Security

Security is one of the key responsibilities of correction officers and they have the duty of maintaining security within the institution and observe safety and health for both the staff and prisoners. They carry out physical patrols as well as visually inspect yards, units, buildings, prisoners, their property to ensure the safety, welfare and security of prisoners is maintained. They perform inspections of cells and physical premises so as to check for contraband and regulations are complied with. They investigate and report any circumstances that they find unusual. They carry out pat or strip searches of both visitors and prisoners. They directly observe prisoners through audio, visual and audio monitoring systems where they check for any abnormal activities in order to ensure that the public, prisoners and staff are physically safe. They also look out for and respond to any changes in the behavior or conversations f prisoners which can be an indicator of trouble. They monitor radio transmissions between the staff so that they can respond immediately to any emergencies or directions and any calls for security support if and when required. They also give visitors escort and all the security they need while they are in the premises (The State of Alaska, 2007).

Emergency response

Corrections officers stabilize and give backup in case of emergencies ensuring that the public, staff and prisoners in instances where there is aggressive behavior, riots, fights or other behavior that is disruptive, attempts to escape, accidents, fire and medical emergencies.

Therefore we can se e that correctional officers play a major role in this institutions from the numerous responsibilities given to them.