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Correctional Counseling Career Requirements
Correctional Counseling Careers: What Skills Do You Need?
Correctional counselors evaluate inmates through questionnaires or psychological tests, work with various agencies to develop parole and release plans, write case reports on an inmate's likelihood of committing another crime, offer workshops on subjects like coping skills and anger management, and of course provide counseling in a variety of areas including drug and sexual abuse. They work in jails, prisons, and parole or probation agencies.
Based on the type of offenders they work with, and the jurisdiction in which they work, one counselor may take on anywhere from 20 to over 100 active cases at once. You need strong writing skills to handle all of those reports, and good listening and interpersonal skills.
What Education Does Correctional Counseling Require?
You typically need at least a bachelor's degree in social work, criminal justice, psychology, or a related field. Depending on the employer, you may need a master's degree, and you might also have to pass an oral, written, and psychological exam. Some correctional counselors have to complete a state or federal government sponsored training program and take a certification test.
You may improve your job prospects with relevant work experience, such as in probation, pretrial services, substance abuse treatment, social work, or another type of counseling.
Employment should grow 11% from 2006-2016, on par with the national average for all occupations. But with many states changing their sentencing guidelines due to budget cuts, an increased emphasis may get placed on rehabilitation and probation, which will create a higher demand for correctional counseling.
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