Corrections Officers

Employers

Most corrections officers work for the government at the local, state, and federal levels in penal institutions and in jobs connected with the penal system. The majority of the approximately 370,900 corrections officers employed in the United States, work in state and local correctional facilities such as prisons, prison camps, and reformatories. Some are employed at city and county jails or other institutions. Others work for the federal government or are employed by private corrections contractors.

Starting Out

To apply for a job as a corrections officer, contact federal or state civil service commissions, state departments of correction, or local correctional facilities and ask for information about entrance requirements, training, and job opportunities. Private contractors and other companies—such as CoreCivic and GEO Group—are also a growing source of employment opportunities. Many officers enter this field from social work areas and parole and probation positions.