NCJ Number
150993
Journal
Corrections Compendium Volume: 19 Issue: 9 Dated: (September 1994) Pages: 8-16
Editor(s)
D Bryan
Date Published
1994
Length
3 pages
Annotation
A survey conducted in May 1994 received responses from 44 jurisdictions in the United States and seven in Canada and provided information on the numbers and salaries of correctional officers, as well as selection requirements, recruitment, and training.
Abstract
Results revealed that 41 States have 16,532 more correctional officers than they reported in the 1992 survey. The vocation of the correctional officer appears to be stable. Females account for 17.92 percent of the correctional officers in the reporting jurisdictions in the United States. Average starting salary is $19,076. Recruitment is not a problem for 74 percent of the corrections agencies. Salaries and remote locations hinder recruiting in some agencies. State requirements for correctional officers are similar nationwide and include a high school diploma or GED equivalent, age over 21, physical and mental fitness, previous work experience or advanced education, a valid driver's license, and no felony convictions. Fifty-nine percent of the jurisdictions reported that correctional officers generally exceed State requirements. Most reported that they would never lower their minimum requirements. Hiring is becoming increasingly selective. Tables