Corrections careers in prisons, jails and detention centers

Careers in prison

Prisons are primarily long-term institutions for the incarceration of convicted felony offenders. They typically hold larger populations based on the length of sentences being served. There are federal and state facilities with various levels of security and focus of population management.

• Penitentiaries, more commonly known as prisons, are designed for long-term incarceration and hold offenders with life sentences or death sentences.
• Federal institutions and facilities range from maximum security to minimum custody that hold nonviolent offenders.
• Correctional institutions offer programs to assist with rehabilitation of felony offenders.

Prisons employ people for roles ranging from direct oversight of prisoners to support positions from corrections officers and more. Some of the most common applications for a Bachelor of Science in Correctional Program Support Services or criminal justice degrees include the following roles:

• Correctional officer: Correctional officers (COs) enforce the rules and keep order within the prison. They supervise prisoners’ activities and regularly inspect the facility to ensure it meets security and safety standards. In some cases, they may escort and transport people in custody between the prison and other locations. COs need to complete training at an academy.
  
• Federal prisons often require entry-level COs to have an Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice. The earning potential for correctional officers varies widely between state and federal prisons. As of May 2023, pay for this position ranged between $38,340 and $87,250 , with a median wage of $53,300, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
• Social services manager: Many prisons employ social workers  or social services managers  to help inmates integrate into society upon release. They can also provide counseling services. To prepare for this role, a bachelor’s degree is typically required . Social services managers who want to work in the corrections system might pursue a Bachelor of Science in Correctional Program Support Services. In May 2023, social services managers earned between $38,340 and $87,25 0, with a median wage of $53,300, according to BLS.
• Case manager: Case managers (sometimes known in the field of corrections careers as correctional treatment specialists) develop plans for parolees and probationers to follow. They often use psychological tests to evaluate inmates prior to their release. Case managers will also write case reports to cover the inmate’s history and advise parole boards on the likelihood of them committing another crime. They may recommend community-based corrections programs for inmates who qualify.
  

Like social services managers, case managers need a bachelor’s degree. Requirements can vary by jurisdiction, but some treatment specialists can make their way into the field with a Bachelor of Science in Correctional Program Support Services.

Salary ranges are not specific to students or graduates of University of Phoenix. Actual outcomes vary based on multiple factors, including prior work experience, geographic location and other factors specific to the individual. University of Phoenix does not guarantee employment, salary level or career advancement. BLS data is geographically based. Information for a specific state/city can be researched on the BLS website.

Careers in jail

Careers in detention centers

Often, detention center is an umbrella term describing facilities that temporarily house and rehabilitate offenders under the age of 18 or those who are awaiting immigration hearings and possible deportation. Ultimately, detention centers’ primary goal is to educate and rehabilitate offenders so they can rejoin society.

Detention centers serve a specialized mission pertaining to the rehabilitation of juveniles or maintenance of individuals being detained pending immigration hearings and potential deportation. For example, detention centers can refer to facilities that hold immigrants while their legal status is determined.

Detention facilities hire many of the same professionals that jails and prisons do, although their individual job duties can differ. For example, juvenile corrections versus adult corrections differs in training based on the forms of management and rehabilitation. Social workers and caseworkers are common careers in juvenile detention centers too.