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Prison Guard Career Requirements
As prison populations swell and the old (prison) guard retires, correctional officers face excellent job prospects. Prison guards, also known as correctional or detention officers, oversee prisoners awaiting trial or serving time in jail. They maintain order and enforce rules, keeping the peace.
Paving the Road
Prison guards often learn the ropes on the job. But local, state, and federal agencies all require some formal training. Some of the specific job skills prison guards must attain include:- legal restrictions
- proper conduct with inmates
- firearms proficiency
- self-defense
- institutional policies
- custody procedures
- security procedures
State and Local Agencies
Prison guards serving at the state or local level must have a high school diploma or equivalent, along with on-the-job or Academy training. Regional academies provide training based on guidelines established by the American Correctional Association or American Jail Association.
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Educational requirements for federal prison guards are more stringent: the Federal Bureau of Prisons requires a four-year bachelor degree plus three years' full-time work experience in a counseling or supervisory role. In addition, federal prison guards must complete two hundred hours of formal training within their first year and 120 hours of specialized training within the first sixty days, at the U.S. Federal Bureau of Prisons training center in Glynco, GA.
Other Career Requirements
Besides formal education, prison guards face various screening requirements designed to assess their suitability for the job. Candidates for a correctional officer position may be subject to background checks, drug abuse screenings, physical fitness tests, and a written exam.
Prison guards serve a demanding but crucial role in the criminal justice system. With demand for correctional officers increasing, agencies are increasingly willing to train promising candidates on the job.
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