Correctional Service Officers (NOC 6462)
Description
Correctional service officers guard prisoners and detainees and maintain order in correctional institutions and other places of detention. They are employed by federal, provincial and municipal governments.
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Example Titles
- correctional facility guard
- correctional service officer
- detention attendant
- prison guard
- supervisor, correctional officers
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Classified Elsewhere
- Detention home workers (in 4212 Community and Social Service Workers)
- Managers in Social, Community and Correctional Services (0314)
- Social Workers (4152)
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Duties
Correctional service officers perform some or all of the following duties:
- Observe conduct and behaviour of prisoners to prevent disturbances and escapes
- Supervise prisoners during work assignments, meals and recreation periods
- Patrol assigned area and report any problems to supervisor
- Observe behaviour of prisoners and prepare reports
- Escort prisoners in transit and during temporary leaves
- Prepare admission, program, release, transfer and other reports
- May supervise and co-ordinate work of other correctional service officers.
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Skills
Correctional officers need the following skills and abilities:
- an interest in the safety and security of inmates and co-workers,
- responsibility and maturity,
- good physical condition and strength, good hearing and vision,
- the ability to make quick and sound decisions in response to security and/or discipline problems, in situations of stress,
- be able to be firm and exercise authority,
- be able to work effectively as part of a team as well as independently,
- the ability to follow rules and guidelines in dealing with people,
- mental alertness and good observation skills,
- good oral and written communication skills and a knowledge of computer systems.
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Employment Requirements
- In Manitoba, completion of secondary school is required. Post-secondary education may be required in courses such as counselling, crisis intervention, criminology, human justice, or social work.
- Correctional officer recruits must successfully complete the Corrections Canada training course to be employed by federal institutions. Correctional officer recruits are usually required to complete a basic training course to be employed by provincial/territorial institutions.
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Terms & Conditions
Correctional service officers commonly work indoors as well as outside at federal, provincial and municipal correctional facilities. Some areas within indoor facilities are well lit, heated and ventilated, but others may be overcrowded, hot and noisy. Working in a correctional institution can be stressful and potentially hazardous.
Correctional officers usually work a 7.5 hour day, 5 days a week. Security at correctional facilities must be maintained twenty-four hours per day. Consequently, correctional officers are required to work shifts on rotation, which includes working evenings, nights, weekends and holidays. In addition, correctional service officers are frequently required to work overtime. Most correctional service officers work full-time (94%). All are government employees.
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Earnings
$42,500 per annum - starting
$58,000 per annum - average
$70,500 per annum - high
Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.
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Education / Training
- Red River College's Continuing Education Division offers Correctional Officer Basic and Advanced Training programs.
- The University College of the North offers a two-year diploma program in Restorative Justice and a one-year certificate program in Law Enforcement.
- Assiniboine Community College offers a program in Criminology through the Continuing Education Division.
- Manitoba universities offer a number of degree programs related to this field (for example, Criminology, Sociology, Justice and Law Enforcement and Social Work).
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Career Paths
Progression to probation or parole officer or correctional treatment specialist is possible with additional education.
Qualified correctional officers can be promoted to supervisor or administrative positions.
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Outlook
Employment prospects for correctional service officers are expected to be good in the period 2009 - 2013. Employment in Manitoba in 2009 is estimated at 1,085.
The capacity needs of the correctional system have been growing. The construction of new and expanded correctional facilities in Manitoba is expected to increase the occupational workforce over the forecast period. Construction on an 80-bed expansion at Brandon Correctional Centre should be completed by mid 2010 and a 48-cell facility at the Agassiz Youth Centre Portage La Prairie by the end of 2010. Construction is also underway for the new Women's Correctional Centre which is slated to open in the summer of 2011 in Headingly.
Employment is fairly evenly distributed across the province. Across industries, the majority of correctional service officers are employed in Public Administration (97%).
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Employment by Age Group
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Employment by Industry
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Employment by Region
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Employment by Gender
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Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification
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Employment by Visible Minority
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Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.
Professional Associations and unions...
- Manitoba Civil Service Commission, 935 - 155 Carlton Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 3H8, http://www.gov.mb.ca/csc/
- Manitoba Government Employees Union, 601-275 Broadway Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 4M6, http://www.mgeu.mb.ca
- Public Service Alliance of Canada, 460 - 175 Hargrave Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 4M6, http://www.psac.com
- Public Service Commission, 1 - 320 Donald Street, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2H3, http://www.psc-cfp.gc.ca
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