For many of us, the only time we’ve seen the inner workings of prison is on TV crime dramas, illustrating metal bars as the sole protection given to inmates. However, what most people don’t realize is the dozens of people working behind the scenes to restrain inmates and prison in order. That’s where corrections officers come into the picture, brave men and women who risk their health to insure inmates remain under control.
Corrections is a Strong Career
A career as a corrections officer is reserved for those with courage, as well as mental and physical strength. COs are faced with intimidating and threatening inmates, imprisoned for an endless spectrum of crimes. It’s a job that requires you to be on your toes at all times.
“New inmates come in with new problems, new situations, even new paperwork, and that keeps it interesting,” said Deborah Ammeson, a corrections officer in Walworth County, Wisc. “At the same time, it can be very stressful because you go from downtime to—BAM—you have to save someone’s life, or fight someone. It’s a rush, but people do get hurt.”
Keeping Security in Prisons
Corrections officers are responsible for the security of the prison, the checking in and out of inmates, monitoring activities throughout the prison, and routinely checking doors, windows, locks and cells for signs of tampering or defect. The tasks of corrections officers vary greatly within a facility, but those responsibilities don’t extend outside the walls of the prison or into other branches of law enforcement.
Why People Like Being Corrections Officers
Having an Impact: This job definately keeps you on your toes and will present different challenges daily. However, some people like the opportunity to make an impact in the law and prisoner's lives.
Job Security: The career also comes with job security, as there is never going to be a shortage of prisoners or laws to enforce. Also, jobs in law enforcement are paired with steady pay, vacation and sick leave, on top of great retirement plans.
Room for Growth: Within a career in corrections, there is ample space to move around. Though you may start at an entry-level position working swing shifts, there’s often turnover because of the stress so you often have opportunities to move up in the career to managerial or supervisor positions.
Struggles with Working in a Prison
A Risky Career: There is physical and mental risks you take with the title. Prisoners often don’t show respect to anyone, whether it’s other inmates or authorities in the prison, so they may lash out or attack people within the facility. Gruesome stories have been told about the extremities prisoners go to, and corrections officers are required to be there and break up the situation, regardless of how vicious a prisoner is being.
Working Late Hours: Other cons are the hours beginning corrections officers are required to work, as they are often subjected to night or swing shifts until they gain seniority.
Making a Difference
This job is not easy. When entering into a career in corrections, keep in mind that it may start out rough. Those who attain and keep jobs in corrections are hardworking, dedicated, and thick-skinned, but if you can make it past the initial training and shock of the career, corrections can be a very fulfilling. You will have an impact on restructuring the lives of prisoners, and maintaining the law to keep others safe. Not many people can say they do the same thing on a daily basis.
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