Corrections Officer Roles

Roles of Corrections Officers Keli Tomlinson Ashford University Corrections CRJ 303 Karyn Goldmeier September 19, 2014 Roles of Corrections Officers Many people view correctional officer, or COs, as the backbone to corrections. Besides managing inmates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, usually divided up working 12 hour shifts, their upmost important role is to maintain a safe and secure environment for both staff and inmates. Correctional officers have one of the hardest and most challenging jobs within the correctional institution. Fulfilling their roles successfully is vital to the effective operation of the facility. The responsibilities that are assigned to correctional officers are quite demanding and can be dangerous, since they are
1). Because of their extensive list of responsibilities and the working conditions that COs face daily, studies have been done, resulting in a high number of our COs dealing with occupational stress. Moreover, On a daily basis, inmates may outnumber correctional officers in a ratio as high as 1001 (Morgan Jr., 2009, p. 33). Because of this high ratio, correctional officers can never lose focus of their surroundings and have to be ready to make quick decisions at the drop of a hat. Many administrative rules generated by correctional agencies can often be vague, leaving the CO with little autonomy to manage the dorm, cell block, mess hall, recreation yard, or other observed areas (Morgan Jr., 2009, p. 33). Violence can break out in any place and at any
In addition to the physical requirements correctional officers must perform daily, there also comes the mental and psychological stresses. For instance, COs can never show their weaknesses to the inmates because these weaknesses can be used against them, which can make their job more difficult and dangerous. Therefore, corrections officers need to possess excellent interpersonal communication skills. COs need to make sure that the inmates are following the rules, but, in a way that does not make them appear a bully. Moreover, they need to carry themselves as professional and positive role models. The Warden, holds a top supervisory position at a correctional facility, overseeing the administration of personnel and programs to ensure safe, efficient and lawful functioning of a prison (Warden, n.d.). When a problem arises at a correctional officers level, it is the job of that officer to take it up the chain of command so that it can be remedied as quickly as