Overview
Correctional service officers guard offenders and detainees and maintain order in correctional institutions and other places of detention. Primary workers develop women offender's correctional plan and work with other service officers in the correctional team. They are employed by federal, provincial and municipal governments. Correctional service officers who are supervisors are included in this unit group.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Observe conduct and behaviour of offenders and detainees to prevent disturbances and escapes
Supervise offenders during work assignments, meals and recreation periods
Patrol assigned area and report any problems to supervisor
Conduct security checks and scanning of visitors, inmates and their cells, working areas and recreational activity areas
Observe behaviour of offenders and prepare reports
Escort detainees in transit and during temporary leaves
Prepare admission, program, release, transfer and other reports
May supervise and coordinate work of other correctional service officers
May develop offenders' correctional plan and facilitate their participation in reintegration programs in collaboration with psychologists, behavioral counsellors, parole officers and others.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$55,686
$72,996
$97,252
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
Strong job outlook
British Columbia
581expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Completion of secondary school is required.
Post-secondary education in correctional services, police studies or criminology is required in New Brunswick, Quebec, Alberta and Prince Edward Island.
Correctional officer recruits must successfully complete the Correctional Service of Canada training course to be employed by federal institutions.
Additional information
- Primary workers are the primary daily contact for women offenders.
Certification requirements
Mandatory: You need the following certification to practice as Correctional service officers in B.C.
- Completion of Correctional Training Program through Correctional Service Canada
Completion of Correctional Training Program through Correctional Service Canada
To work as a correctional officer in Canada, you need to complete the Correctional Training program through Correctional Service Canada. Eligibility is achieved by passing a series of assessments and then successfully completing the program.
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