Ask a Correctional Officer anything

455 Questions

Last Answer on February 10, 2022

4. Is a degree required? Would it help? What would be the best degree(s) to have? What about military experience?

Asked by Peyton almost 5 years ago

I don't know that any system requires a degree for Correctional Officer. A criminal justice degree might help. A degree in Organizational Behavior might help. Military experience is often helpful and military people are used to the command structure which some people have trouble with.

568 Votes

What where some pet peeves other Correctional Officer's would do?

Asked by Queen almost 6 years ago

I have been retired for over 15 years but I suspect it is about the same as it has been for 60 years. Lame supervisors. Incompetent administrators. Irritating politicians. Prisoners who think they are being picked on just because you want them to follow the rules everybody else has to follow. The usual suspects.

568 Votes

So you wanna be a Correctional Officer??

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Is the average IQ of a criminal really 85?

Asked by Starfish Peppersocks about 5 years ago

That is pretty close. What used to be called DULL NORMAL or slightly below. Also as a group they are severely undereducated. About 10% total illiterate and about another 15% functionally illiterate, plus a fair number of monolingual non-English speakers.

564 Votes

What is the minimum age requirement? Under 18? 18+? 21+?

Then what would be a preferred age?

In addition to minimum age is there a maximum?

Asked by Peyton almost 5 years ago

Minimum age depends. As far as I know to be a peace officer in the U.S. you must be 21. Often they will hire you at 20 `1/2 so you are 21 when you actually get out of the academy and go to work. If you are a :"jailer" (non peace officer) you can be hired at 18 in most states.

561 Votes