Correctional officers hold very important positions, with many of their duties held accountable for keeping the safety of our nation. They are well respected and without them, our streets would be infested with convicted and possibly dangerous criminals. One of their responsibilities is overseeing individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or who have been convicted of a crime and sentenced to serve time in jail. They also regulate the security of the prisons and/or correctional facilities, preventing escapes, disturbances, and assaults. Officers enforce rules and regulations within their facility, as inspections and monitoring are mandatory. Correctional officers have no law enforcement rights outside their place of work.
             Most correctional officers (state level) will start out at a salary of anywhere from $14,000 to $34,000. Federal level correctional officers' starting salaries are several thousand dollars higher. The top-earning officers in the top ten percent were averaging over $45,000. To even become a correctional officer, you must have graduated from high school or earned an equivalent degree. (There are age minimums of 18 and 21 years.) There must be no felonies on your record, and you must be a U.S. citizen. Some promotions to higher ranking positions require education beyond high school. To become an officer, you must be in good health and pass standard physicals. Eyesight and hearing are also tested and important. To acquire a position as a correctional officer, you can visit your local jail/prison/correction facility, or apply through the mail or online. You can visit the American Jail Association's website, (listed below) to view the training schedule. Or, you may visit the Ameri!
             can Correctional Associations website to view their job-bank, where many open positions are listed and information on how to acquire that position is also available.
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