Correctional service officers

Example job titles

• correctional facility guard
• correctional officers supervisor
• correctional service officer
• primary worker/kimisinaw - correctional service
• prison guard

Main duties

• 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 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.
• Correctional officer recruits are usually required to complete a basic training course to be employed by provincial/territorial institutions.
• Physical agility, strength and fitness requirements must be met.
• Correctional service supervisors require experience as a correctional service officer.
• First aid certification and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training are usually required.