Correctional service officers (NOC 4422)

Nature of work

Correctional service officers guard offenders and detainees and maintain order in correctional institutions and other places of detention. They are employed by federal, provincial and municipal governments. Correctional service officers who are supervisors are included in this unit group.

Main duties

Correctional service officers perform 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
- Continued…
- 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 co-ordinate work of other correctional service officers.

Employment requirements

• * Completion of secondary school is required.
• * Post-secondary education in correctional services, police studies or criminology may be required.
• * 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 CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training are usually required.