My Dream Career: Importance of Correctional Officer for Prisons

After graduation, I want to be a correctional officer. I have always been fascinated by the careers of correctional officers in a way that is difficult to explain. When I was a child, I remember watching shows such as Lockup and Lockdown. The earliest, most vivid memories I have are of staring in awe at the hardened criminals I saw on the screen. Even though it may seem strange, I have always imagined myself inside prison walls. In spite of this, I have seldom imagined myself as a correctional officer; in fact, I have almost always imagined myself as a prisoner. Considering what has been said, one may wonder why I hope to become a correctional officer. The reason is quite simple. A rush of euphoria coursing through my veins makes me want to become a correctional officer. As a correctional officer, I will experience an endless supply of euphoria. I do not need to elaborate further on why I aspire to such a career.

What would prisons be like without correctional officers? In prison, imagine being exposed to a large group of inmates without protection, being around people who have killed or committed other crimes. Correctional officers assist in prisons as well as transport inmates from one location to another. Since correctional officers are now available, they are a great asset to our society. Prisoners would not feel secure without them. Police officers also have families and other responsibilities. Correctional officers perform a very risky job that most people would never consider since it is a very dangerous job. Keeping inmates from causing trouble, such as fighting or killing, is the duty of a correctional officer.

The purpose of a Correctional Officer is to keep major offenders off the streets after they have been arrested by the police. In a Pre-Trial Centre, offenders are held in a holding cell awaiting their court date.

In an ideal world, law enforcement should be a part of the justice system in order to keep high-profile criminals off the streets and locked up even before they are proven innocent or guilty. According to what I have seen when I toured the new Pre-Trial Centre in Port Coquitlam, the Correctional Facility is similar to a jail in many ways. For example, they are locked inside by thick metal doors at night. In each cell, you will find a small bed, a desk and shelf, a sink, and a toilet. Upon visiting the new Pre-Trial Facility at Port Coquitlam, I was quite interested in the fact that each cell had a window, which I thought was a bit excessive for criminals, but I guess they are innocent until proven guilty. Due to the fact that this is a new facility, it has some nicer features compared to older centers.

The typical day for a correctional officer involves preparing inmates for court appearances. Inmates are also brought into the facility by the Sheriff's Department. As soon as a new inmate arrives at the Pre-Trial Center, he or she is photographed and fingerprinted. He or she is then stripped and thoroughly searched. Afterwards, they are escorted into the shower area and given their new red jumpsuits. They are then admitted to their 'pod'. In place of keeping all the inmates in one large group, they are divided into smaller groups. Inmates live in separate pods. There was a central living area and a fresh-air lounge outside each pod. A living area is surrounded by individual cells, and there are three additional levels that overlook it. Each level contains approximately 10 There are approximately ten cells on each floor. to us (Information that is confidential was not available to us (the public). k in a for instance, how many officers their meals in the central eliminates are served their meals in the central living area, and it is the responsibility of the correctional officers to count every inmate repurpose items such as jam containers, plastic knives and forks into weapons. have had time to go to the gave eaten and gone to the gym, they are then put back into their cells.

Correctional facilities are very stressful workplaces. Failure to adhere to the protocol could result in dismissal. The position of Corrections Officer is a government position, which means you will earn a high salary ranging from $35,000.00 to $70,000.00 per year. Additionally, you will receive excellent medical and dental coverage. The correctional facilities are located all over Canada; thus, this job may allow you to move around the country. Additionally, if you work in the northernmost regions, you will receive isolation pay.

The closest educational institution in British Columbia is the Justice Institute in New Westminster. Throughout British Columbia, students attend this school to obtain training as police officers, corrections officers, etc. Students can be trained for almost any occupation at the Justice Institute. I find it very interesting that all riot teams and all police emergency dispatch teams have been trained by the Justice Institute.

To attend this school, you must meet a few requirements.

• The following requirements must be met:
• You must have a Grade 12 diploma.
• A valid class 5 driver's license is required.
• You must be at least 19 years old.

Tuition at the Justice Institute is $2,000.00. Those with the highest levels of education are accepted first and they work their way down. Admission to the Justice Institute does not guarantee employment at a Pre-Trial Facility. Upon completing the course, you will be interviewed by a panel of approximately five interviewers from various facilities throughout the province. Inmates often ask hypothetical questions such as, 'What would you do if an inmate violently attacked you?'. Typically, questions of this nature are designed to test your ability to manage stress, if you are temperate and if you have the common sense to succeed. A panel is an effective means of getting rid of people who are not suited to the position.

Due to the mental strength required for this job, I am still interested in this career. I enjoy being mentally challenged in this way. Criminals enjoy playing mind games with you all day long. I think this job appeals to me due to my mental strength. Additionally, I have an uncle who was a corrections officer and will assist me in reaching my goal.

As a final note, we know that correctional officers live a dangerous life, but they chose to do so in order to protect the public. Not only for us, but also for the people in prison. Correctional officers have a tough job and some find it more challenging than others. It is a new day every day, and no one can predict what will happen, but being prepared for anything is always going to be the best option. Correctional officers may have a hazardous job, but in the end, many lives will be safer with them in prisons.

References

1. Cook, David. “Kansas Department of Corrections.” Department of Corrections. n.p., 10 Jan 2014 Web. 20 Feb. 2014.
2. “Correction Officer” Ferguson Careers in Focus: Public Safety. Chicago: Ferguson Pub.,39-48 2001. Print