Correctional Officers and Jailers
On the Job
Correctional Officers and Jailers are responsible for watching people who have been arrested for crimes. They work in correctional institutions. They may guard prisoners who are in transit between a jail, courtroom, or prison.
Physical Demands
This career requires physical strength.
Typical Work Tasks
People who work in this career often:
- Investigate crimes committed within organizations.
- Discuss performance, complaints, or violations with supervisors.
- Record information about suspects or criminals.
- Resolve interpersonal conflicts.
- Attend training to learn new skills or update knowledge.
- Locate suspicious objects or vehicles.
- Maintain surveillance of individuals or establishments.
- Inspect cargo to identify potential hazards.
- Inspect equipment to ensure safety or proper functioning.
- Inspect facilities for cleanliness.
Typical Working Conditions
- Frequent contact with others.
- Dealing with unpleasant or angry people.
- Working with a group or team.
- Responsibility for others' health and safety.
- The importance of being accurate or exact.
- Close physical proximity with other people.
- Meeting strict deadlines.
- Making decisions that impact co-workers or company results.
- Exposure to disease or infections.
- Exposure to sounds or noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable.
This page includes information from the O*NET 24.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Source: You can learn about our data sources in the About Us section.