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Correctional Officer

State/Territory Specific Information

Correctional officers are responsible for the custody, care and supervision of inmates in prisons and correctional centres.

They are increasingly involved in the care of inmates and their welfare needs.

Correctional officers may perform the following tasks:

  • search inmates and cells for illegal articles, drugs, valuables and weapons
  • lock inmates in cells
  • observe the conduct and behaviour of inmates to maintain control, discipline and security within the correctional centre
  • advise if inmates need special care, such as a visit to a psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker
  • inspect doors, gates, grilles, locks and window bars to make sure they are secure
  • supervise inmates during meals, recreation periods, sport and work assignments
  • patrol assigned areas and report to superiors or other workers any breach of rules, unsatisfactory attitudes or adjustment problems of inmates
  • serve meals to inmates confined to cells
  • organise clothing, reading material, toiletries or other items needed by inmates
  • undertake admittance procedures for arriving inmates
  • give directions to visitors
  • guard inmates in transit between correctional centres and court rooms, police lockups or other institutions
  • prepare a variety of reports including admission and incident reports
  • be in charge of a wing or area of a correctional centre and supervise the work of subordinate officers
  • assist in the risk/needs assessment of inmates and have input into their case and sentence management
  • provide leadership and act as a role model to assist the rehabilitation process within a correctional institution
  • help offenders to seek rehabilitation and return to the community by providing basic counselling and supervision
  • provide first aid.

Specialisations:

Correctional officers also specialise in areas such as dog squads, transport and escort of offenders, and field supervision on work camps.

Correctional officers can be required to work shifts including weekends and public holidays and may be transferred anywhere within their state or territory. In some states, case management is an important aspect of their work. This gives individual officers the chance to work with small groups of 10 to 15 inmates within a re-education and rehabilitation program.

Personal Requirements:

  • enjoy working with people
  • normal vision
  • good interpersonal skills, including fairness, sensitivity and patience
  • assertiveness
  • self-discipline
  • a mature, responsible attitude towards managing people
  • able to resolve conflict
  • physically fit
  • able to stay calm in stressful situations
  • able to pass an Australia-wide police clearance check
  • Australian citizenship or permanent residency.

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