Correctional Officer

Salary Pay Range

AU $50 - $60k

Hours

Shift Work

Attributes

Attributes

Job Description

Correctional Officers enforce rules and regulations inside prisons, maintain the security of inmates, staff and facilities, and supervise daily activities. Correctional Officers may specialise in offender diversion programs, prison industrial programs, dog squads and field supervision of offenders on worksites outside a prison setting.

Careers Ladder

Hours

It has demanding hours working shift work (12 hour shifts) on average.

Qualifications

There are a number of pathways to becoming a Correctional Officer, and it’s important to check the requirements with the relevant department in your state

Apply directly to the state department responsible for justice in your state or territory, or any private institutions in the industry offering specialised placements. If you’re successful, they will provide training. The state-run training is a 10-week full-time course. Entry requirements vary, so you'll need to check with the employer for details.

Having an undergraduate degree such as a Bachelor of Criminology may be an advantage when applying to either state correctional facilities or private industry providers.

You could also consider completing a double degree with a Bachelor of Law/Bachelor of Criminology for a more rounded justice background.

Attributes

  • Assertive
  • Calm
  • Communicator
  • Honest
  • Interpersonal
  • Integrity
  • Open-minded
  • Resilient
  • Responsible
  • Secure

Key Skills

  • Maintaining order
  • Supporting rehabilitation
  • Supervising
  • Searching
  • Inspecting and maintaining safety and integrity
  • Responding quickly to incidents

Future Prospects

You may like to think about moving on from this career, some transferable skills can be utilised in roles such as;