Saturday, March 08, 2014

Facts about Correctional Officers

The following are all quotes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics  regarding our profession:


What Correctional Officers Do

Correctional officers are responsible for overseeing individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or who have been sentenced to serve time in a jail or prison.

Work Environment

Working in a correctional institution can be stressful and dangerous. Correctional officers and jailers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses, often resulting from confrontations with inmates. Because jail and prison security must be provided 24 hours a day, officers work all hours of the day and night, weekends, and holidays.

Job Outlook

Employment of correctional officers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2012 to 2022, slower than the average for all occupations. Although budget constraints and a falling crime rate will require fewer workers, job openings will continue to become available  because the dangers associated with the job cause many to leave the occupation each year.

Injuries and Illnesses

Working in a correctional institution can be stressful and dangerous. Every year, correctional officers are injured in confrontations with inmates, and some are exposed to contagious diseases. As a result, correctional officers have one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. 
The job demands that officers be alert and ready to react throughout their entire shift. As a result, some officers experience anxiety.

One more fact: The Detention Deputies working in the Hennepin County jail, the largest jail in Minnesota, are the lowest paid in the Twin Cities metro area.

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