How many guards are in a prison

By , the federal inmate to officer ratio had improved slightly to Correctional officer positions in the U. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

In , there were , correctional officer jobs in the U. The private sector is providing more opportunities for corrections officers as more publicly-funded state and federal correctional facilities contract their staff from private-sector agencies, according to the BLS.

Simultaneously, tighter budgets in publicly funded state and federal facilities are slowing the occupation's overall growth. A writer since , Christian Fisher is an author specializing in personal empowerment and professional success. From to , he wrote true stories of human triumph for "Woman's World" magazine. The offenders that these guards supervise generally are not permitted to leave their cells except under supervision and are rarely permitted to participate in group activities.

On the other hand, while guards at minimum security facilities may also face violent confrontations, these guards supervise low-risk inmates who are generally permitted to congregate in groups and are frequently allowed freedom of movement through designated areas of the facility. More specific prison guard duties can include:. Prison guards must possess at least a high school diploma. However, some college experience may be necessary to earn a position at certain correctional facilities.

While the process for becoming a prison guard will depend largely on the particular position and employer, you can expect a process similar to the one below:. Please note that a degree cannot guarantee employment or career advancement. Additional academy training or education may be required for law enforcement jobs. Training requirements vary for prison guards depending on the requirements of the corrections agency, but many facilities will require new hires to spend time at an academy.

Guidelines for training often follow those outlined by the American Correctional Association. After the academy, on-the-job training specific to the facility will be provided.

Trainees learn self-defense, firearms, first aid, and the use of restraint. It is also important for a guard to know legal restrictions, institutional policies, and custody and security procedures. There is also specialized training available for more specialized jobs. For example, a guard who is a member of a tactical response team will be trained to respond to disturbances, riots, hostage situations, and other dangerous situations that may arise.

For a list of all industries with employment in Correctional Officers and Jailers, see the Create Customized Tables function. States and areas with the highest published employment, location quotients, and wages for Correctional Officers and Jailers are provided. For a list of all areas with employment in Correctional Officers and Jailers, see the Create Customized Tables function.

States with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Correctional Officers and Jailers:.