Question

Discussion 7 - Chapter 6 -The Staff Working in Corrections

Be able to discuss the role of a Correctional officer in New Jersey. Discuss the qualifications needed,job assignments,issues facing officers today, and correctional officers personalities in relation to the job.

Answer 1

Enforce Rules and Keep Order: Enforce Rules and Keep Order: Correctional officials enforce rules and regulations inside the prison or jail. They maintain security through settling disputes between prisoners, avoiding disturbances, assaults, and escapes. Officers enforce regulations through effective communication and the use of progressive penalties involving punishment, such as loss of privileges. Oversee prisoner activities: Correctional officers oversee the day-to-day activities of prisoners, ensuring that prisoners comply with the rules. They must also ensure the permanent whereabouts of all prisoners.

Search for Contraband Items: Officers search for contraband, such as weapons and drugs, inmates and their living quarters. Additionally, officers are responsible for screening visitors and incoming mail to ensure that contraband is not brought into prison or jail. Inspect facilities to ensure that they meet standards: regular inspection of facilities by correctional officers.

The work environment for correctional officers based in the U.S. varies dramatically, based on several factors. First, is the age of the facility where the correctional officer operates. The population explosion in the prison system has caused the construction boom of new jail facilities. These facilities tend to be temperature-controlled, less crowded and in a controlled and orderly environment able to better accommodate inmates. The older establishments tend to be poorly ventilated, hot and noisy.

Other factors relating to the working conditions should also be considered. In general, correctional officers are required to work rotating shifts. Overtime is almost a given given, due to the shortage of correction officers. Moreover, correctional officers are often required to stand for long periods of time, and work outdoors as well as indoors. The need for constant vigilance is causing increased anxiety in addition to stress issues by some correctional officers. In a confrontation, there is also the possibility of being injured, or exposed to contagious diseases.