I was given this article by another
corrections officer. Unfortunately I do not know what source this came
from. However I found it interesting enough and felt everyone needs to
know this.
Crime, prisons fuel potential need for corrections officers in South Florida, across U.S.
Corrections officers oversee and maintain order and discipline over inmates and individuals awaiting trial.
Requirements: Though most positions require a high school diploma, many institutions are adopting a direct-supervision style and will require corrections officers to have bachelor's degrees, said Ken Kerle, author of "American Jails: Looking into the Future" and managing editor of American Jails magazine. "Direct supervision requires the officers to communicate with the inmates - that requires corrections officers to be better trained and better educated, especially in interpersonal skills," Kerle said.
Benefits/Drawbacks: Working as a corrections officer can be challenging and taxing, kerle says, "Corrections officers see the downside of many people who have had terrible lives, and it can make them become very cynical. It takes a person with a strong disposition to work in the field." Because prisons and jails are always open, corrections officers may be required to work overnight shifts, then change to a day or afternoon shift after a few months. This can be more physically taxing than adopting a permanent day or night shift from the start.
National Outlook: According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, corrections officers held about 457,000 jobs in 2000. Job opportunities for corrections officers are expected to increase faster than average through 2010, as more officers are needed to supervise and control a growing inmage population.
South Florida Outlook: Although metropolitan areas like South Florida house large prison systems, most opportunities for corrections officers exist in smaller facilities located in outlying rural areas.
Average Corrections Officer Salary by City
Baltimore, Md. $28,599
Fort Lauderdale $28,151
Kansas City, Mo. $28,571
Los Angeles, Calif. $31,288
Orlando, Fla.
$26,778
U.S. Average
$28,011
Source: salary.com
