The correctional officers commonly known as CO’s are critical employees or staff members in any criminal justice system. They are guided by rules and regulations which aim at ensuring that they do not make faults in their work. Effectiveness is essential as inefficiency would jeopardize the public safety linking the dangerous members of staff to safe communities they are meant to protect. Correctional officers do more than guard the prisoners as they are supposed to keep drugs and dangerous weapons away from the correctional facilities. Apart from searching the inmates the correctional officers inspect the facilities to ensure that they are clean and safe. Through this routine inspection they can identify the signs of a tampered locks, doors or windows which may be an attempt to escape by inmates. It is also the duty of correctional officers to escort prisoners to see visitors, to courtrooms, medical facilities or any other place. (Beck T, 2005). They inspect the visitors to ensure that they are not used as a venue to get unauthorized commodities in prison
The duties of correctional officer differ from one location to the next but it involves the enforcement of law and order within the prisons. They oversee or monitor the prisoner’s activities while working, eating as well as while undergoing the various recreational activities. The correctional officers also act as mediators where they help in settling of disputes between inmates and advocate for discipline. (Horne P, 2007). At all times, correctional officers are unarmed except those located at the tower. The mode of communication between the correctional officer and the inmates is basically verbal but the inmates who prove to be indiscipline are transferred to other facilities offering fewer privileges.
The correctional offices are supposed to report any evidence of violation of rules without prejudice or favor. They are also supposed to report unusual occurrences or disturbances. For those working in high security facilities the monitoring of inmates can be done through television from a centralized control room or location to reduce the risks posed by the inmates. They prepare and compile reports of each day’s happenings and pass them to the next officer on duty. Through teamwork they are supposed to address emergencies like riots as well as prison breaks or escapes. They also perform supervisory roles on the offenders as they carry out their work. Many states across the US embrace the fact that it is vital to train the correctional officers in an effort to ensure their effectiveness and this has seen the establishment of training and certification requirements for correctional officers.
The new complex and more violent prison population makes the duties of correctional officers difficult. The dangers or risks of being attacked by the prisoners are high especially because the correctional officers are not armed while within the prisons. Culturally competent behavior must be embraced by the correctional officers who deal with some inmates who cannot communicate in English or are from varying religious orientation, race or ethnicity. The gang problem in the society tends to be extended into prisons making the correctional officer work difficult especially as they try to gain compliance with them. Preparedness on the part of the officer is vital to allow them handle the inmates depending on their specific needs for instance the aged and emotionally unstable ones who are at risk of committing suicide.
There is need to hire more correctional officers given the increased prison population growth which is precipitated by increased recidivism. It has become a critical issue that interferes with the effective operation of the set programs due to limited space as some inmates sleep in the classrooms, corridors as well as in tents. The rehabilitation objective is lost when space is compromised and the relationship between the staff and the inmates are significantly negatively affected. Due to the overcrowding problem the correctional officers have longer hours and lack the time for vacation. (Beck T, 2005). They work 24 hours in a day and even on weekends although these efforts are not reflected in their pay. The security risks are also increased when the prison population is unmanageable.
Correctional officers must be well equipped if they are to effectively handle their responsibilities. The prison population has changed with changing times it comprises of varying cultures of generations thus calling for attention and keenness on the part of the officers. There is a higher degree or level of workforce stress as compared to other forms of employment. The working conditions of a correctional officer may also be negatively affected by aspects like the weather especially for those at the tower. (Beck T, 2005). Usual working hours for a correctional officer is 8 but since the inmates must be monitored 24 hours thus calling for rotation shifts with newly recruited officers working on holidays, weekend and during the night.
Increased recruitment of female correctional officers as well as those from varying orientation in terms of race, ethnicity and religion will ensure that they match multicultural and multigenerational prison population. Inadequate funding is also a set back to the successful working of correctional officers. It is to blame for the reduced recruitment of new officers as well as the creation of more facilities to reduce the overpopulation effect. (Sumter M, nd).The occupational stress faced by correctional officers could be from the inmates’ demands and manipulation problems with fellow officers as well as threats by the inmates. External forces include the fact that the job is low paying and the society has a poor image. Burnout related illness that can see the correctional officers seeking for early retirement. (Carlson J and Thomas G, 2006). Such retirement has a negative effect on their families as it reduces their income levels.
References:
Theodis Beck. 2005. The 2005 Correctional Officer, New roles, New inmates, New challenges.
Melvina Sumter. The correctional work force faces challenges in the 21st Century.
Horne P. 2007. Correctional officers in America: the emergence of a new profession. Choice:
Current Reviews for Academic Libraries, Sep2007, Vol. 45 Issue 1, p186-186, 1/6p; (AN 26416566)
Carlson, Joseph R. Thomas, George. 2006. Burnout Among Prison Caseworkers and Corrections Officers: Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 2006, Vol. 43 Issue 3, p19-34, 16p, 2 charts; DOI: 10.1300/J076v43n03̱02; (AN 23718106)
