View source for Prison officer

{{Short description|Law enforcement official}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Infobox occupation
| name = Prisons officer
| image = Prison guard parra jail.JPG
| caption = A prison guard on lookout in the watchtower at [[Parramatta Gaol]]
| official_names = {{ubl
|Correctional officer
|Correctional Law Enforcement Officer
|Corrections officer
|Correctional Police Officer
|Detention officer
|Detention deputy}}
<!------------Details------------------->
| type= Employment
| activity_sector = [[Law enforcement agency|Law enforcement]]
| competencies = See [[#Working environment|Working environment]]
| formation = See [[#Training|Training]]
| employment_field = [[Prison|Prisons, jails]]
| related_occupation = [[Police officer]]
}}
A '''prison officer''' ('''PO''') or '''corrections officer''' ('''CO'''), also known as a '''correctional law enforcement officer''' or less formally as a '''prison guard''', is a [[Uniformed services|uniformed]] law enforcement [[official]] responsible for the custody, supervision, safety, and regulation of [[prisoner]]s. 

== Terms for the role ==
[[File:Old turnkey.jpg|thumb|upright|A turnkey of a Paris prison, 19th century]]
[[File:Prokudin-Gorskii-21.jpg|thumb|right| A Russian jail with a prison guard, 1915]]
Historically, terms such as "[[wikt:jailer|jailer]]" (also spelled "[[wikt:gaoler|gaoler]]"), "guard" and "warder"<ref>{{Cite OED|warder, n.1}}</ref> have all been used.

The term "prison officer" is used for the role in the UK<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-prison-service/about/recruitment#prison-officer |title=Working for HMPS |publisher=[[UK Government]] |access-date=18 November 2015}}</ref> and Ireland.<ref>[http://www.irishprisons.ie/recruitment-home.htm Irish Prison Service – Recruitment] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617002332/http://www.irishprisons.ie/recruitment-home.htm |date=17 June 2011 }}. Retrieved 29 November 2011</ref> It is the official English title in Denmark,<ref>[http://www.kriminalforsorgen.dk/Files/Filer/Publikationer/Brochurer/kort_og_godt_uk_2011.pdf The Danish Prison and Probation Service – General Information, page 5] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317062116/http://www.kriminalforsorgen.dk/Files/Filer/Publikationer/Brochurer/kort_og_godt_uk_2011.pdf |date=17 March 2014 }} Retrieved 2012-07-07</ref> Finland,<ref>[http://www.rskk.fi/inenglish/ The Training Institute for Prison and Probation Services, Finland] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111205022848/http://www.rskk.fi/inenglish/ |date=5 December 2011 }} Retrieved 29 November 2011</ref> Sweden<ref>[http://www.sweden.gov.se/content/1/c6/01/61/94/0602f648.pdf Swedish Prison and Probation Service – Fact Sheet]. Retrieved 29 November 2011</ref> and Poland.<ref>[https://www.sw.gov.pl/uploads/5846de09_5fb8_41a6_ad3b_213cc0a80015_angielski.pdf Compendium for foreign nationals on remand, convicted or punished]</ref>

The term "corrections officer" or "correction officer" is used in the U.S.<ref>[http://www.indeed.com/salary/Corrections-Officer.html Indeed: Corrections Officer Salary] Retrieved 2012-07-07</ref><ref>[http://www.justice.gov.yk.ca/prog/cor/wcc/wccknow.html Yukon Department of Justice website] Retrieved 29 November 2011</ref> and New Zealand.<ref>[http://www.corrections.govt.nz/careers/opportunities-at-corrections/prison-services-jobs/corrections-officer.html New Zealand Department of Corrections – Job Description] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121005072956/http://www.corrections.govt.nz/careers/opportunities-at-corrections/prison-services-jobs/corrections-officer.html |date=5 October 2012 }}. Corrections.govt.nz Retrieved 29 November 2011</ref>

The term "correctional police officer" or "CPO" is used in New Jersey. Due to the law enforcement status and authority of New Jersey's officers, New Jersey's officers employed by the Department of Corrections are classified as "police officers".<ref>[https://info.csc.state.nj.us/jobspec/55628.htm NJ Civil Service: Correctional Police Officer] Retrieved 2021-06-13</ref><ref>[https://info.csc.state.nj.us/jobspec/01400.htm NJ Civil Service: County Correctional Police Officer] Retrieved 2021-06-13</ref>

Brazil has a similar system to New Jersey, but the officers are known as "state penal police agent" or "federal penal police agent".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Junior |first=Janary |date=July 6, 2024 |title=Promulgada emenda constitucional que cria Polícia Penal, para atuar no sistema prisional. |url=https://www.camara.leg.br/noticias/621785-promulgada-emenda-constitucional-que-cria-policia-penal-para-atuar-no-sistema-prisional/ |access-date=July 6, 2024 |website=Câmara dos Deputados |language=pt-BR}}</ref>

"Correctional officer" is used in Australia,<ref>[http://www.correctiveservices.qld.gov.au/Employment/Custodial_Operations/cco.shtml Queensland Corrective Services – Employment Information] Retrieved 2012-07-07</ref> Canada,<ref>[http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/carinf/correctional-eng.shtml Correctional Service Canada – Correctional officer job profile] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110824031342/http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/carinf/correctional-eng.shtml |date=24 August 2011 }} Retrieved 29 November 2011</ref><ref>[http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/corr_serv/careers_in_corr/become_corr_off/careers_corr_become_off.html Ontario Correctional Services – Careers] Retrieved 29 November 2011</ref><ref>[http://www.employment.gov.bc.ca/corrections/?p=Training British Columbia Corrections – Employment Information] Retrieved 29 November 2011</ref> Jamaica,<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110921035452/http://www.dcsj.net/dcsj/RolesofCorrectionalOfficer.htm Jamaica Department of Correctional Service – Roles of Correctional Officer]}} Retrieved 29 November 2011</ref> and the U.S.<ref>[http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos156.htm US Department of Labor – Correctional Officer job statistics] Retrieved 29 November 2011</ref>

In [[Australia]], prison officers were known as turnkeys until the 19th century after which they were known as warders until the late 20th century. Additionally, a slang term used as an insult or form of group endearment during this period was 'screws'. Following this period they were known as prison officers and later correctional officers.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dawson |first1=Christopher |title=Screw! |url=https://www.boggoroadgaol.com.au/2018/06/screw.html?m=1 |website=Inside Boggo Road |publisher=Boggo Road Gaol Historical Society |access-date=27 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127045203/https://www.boggoroadgaol.com.au/2018/06/screw.html?m=1 |archive-date=27 January 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>

"Detention officer" is used in the U.S.,<ref>[https://www.fbi.gov/atlanta/press-releases/2012/former-fulton-county-detention-officer-sentenced-to-10-years-in-federal-prison-for-public-corruption-and-drug-trafficking FBI Atlanta: Former Fulton County Detention Officer Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison] Retrieved 2012-07-07</ref> as is the term "penal officer".<ref>[http://occupations.careers.org/14767/penal-officer Career Occupational Profile for: Penal Officer] Retrieved 2014-03-17</ref>

The official who is in charge of a specific prison is known by various titles, including: "[[prison warden]]" (US and Canada), "governor" (UK and Australia), "superintendent" (South Asia) or "director" (New Zealand), respectively "Direktor" or "Gefängnisdirektor" (Germany).

== Duties ==
[[File:Conair-Marshal.jpg|thumb|US Marshals and prisoners on board a [[Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System|Con Air flight]]]]
Prison officers are responsible for the security of the facility and its property as well as other law enforcement functions. 

Correction officers may assist police officers on/off duty depending on their peace officer status and jurisdiction.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos156.htm#nature |title=Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010–11 Edition |access-date=25 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628234838/http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos156.htm#nature |archive-date=28 June 2011}}</ref>

Most prison officers or corrections officers are employed by the government of the jurisdiction in which they operate, although some are employed by private companies that provide prison services to the government.

== Training ==

Corrections officers' training will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction as well as facility to facility depending on the legislated power given, the nature of the facilities, or even the [[socioeconomics]] of the region. 

Training may be provided by external agencies or at the facility with a peer-group or supervisor instructor. In North America, standard training usually includes:
* [[Use of force]] and restraints (i.e., [[handcuffs]], [[Fetters|leg-irons]], [[belly chain (restraint)|belly-chains]], etc.)
* Weapons ([[firearm]]s, [[taser]], [[pepper spray]], [[Baton (law enforcement)|baton]], etc.)
* [[Self-defense]]
* [[First aid]] and [[cardiopulmonary resuscitation|CPR]]
* [[Report]] writing
* Giving [[testimony]] in [[court]]
* Defusing [[hostility]]
* Interpersonal communication
* Correction law
* Criminal law
* Criminal procedure law
* Case work and criminal investigations
* Hostage negotiation
* Gang intelligence
* Cross gender supervision

Many jurisdictions have also, in recent years, expanded basic training to include:
* Suicide prevention/crisis intervention
* Mental health awareness
* [[Critical incident stress management]]
* [[Occupational Safety and Health Act]] (U.S.) or [[Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System]] (Canada)
* [[Gang]] awareness and intervention
* Crisis or [[hostage crisis|hostage]] negotiation
* Drug abuse training
* Rehabilitation programs
* Rapid response training
* [[Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003]] (PREA)
* [[Diversity, equity, and inclusion]] (DEI)
* Staff wellness

== Specialised units ==
Most institutions in the United States have a crisis resolution team of some sort, though these vary in name:
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Name
!Abbreviation
|-
|Crisis Resolution Team
|CRT
|-
|Special Response Team 
|SRT
|-
|Critical Incident Response Team
|CIRT
|-
|Correctional Emergency Response Team
| rowspan="2" |CERT
|-
|Crisis and Emergency Response Team
|-
|Correctional Emergency Unit
|CEU
|-
|Special Security Team
|SST
|-
|Disturbance Control Team
|DCT
|-
|Special Operations And Response Team
|SORT
|-
|Tactical Support Unit
|TSU
|}
These teams take on a role similar to a police [[SWAT]] or Special Weapons and Tactics team, but are tailored to the prison setting. 

Though these vary greatly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, they typically must pass a very physically and mentally demanding tactical academy or training course, often lasting a week or more. 

Special units must qualify regularly and at shorter intervals than regular line staff to remain in the specialized position. They must also score in the 90th percentile or better of the standard scoring systems.

== See also ==
* [[Bailiff]]
* [[Law enforcement officer]]
* [[Parole officer]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Correctional Service of Canada. [http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/rsrch/reports/r179/r179-eng.shtml Correctional Officers and Their First Year: An Empirical Investigation]
* Davenport, D. K. (2001). State of Arizona Office of the Auditor General Performance Audit: Arizona Department of Corrections. Sunset Factors Retrieved 8 March 2008 from http://www.auditorgen.state.az.us/Reports/State_Agencies/Agencies/Corrections{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* Tracy, S. J. (2004). [https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sarah_Tracy3/publication/238432762_The_Construction_of_Correctional_Officers_Layers_of_Emotionality_Behind_Bars/links/55ea179008aeb6516265e2ab.pdf The construction of correctional officers: Layers of emotionality behind bars]. Qualitative Inquiry, 10, 509–533.
* Tracy, S. J., Meyers, K., & Scott, C. (2007). [https://nca.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03637750600889500 Cracking jokes and crafting selves: Sensemaking and identity management among human service workers]. Communication Monographs, 73, 283–308.

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline|Prison guards}}

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{{Incarceration}}
{{Types of law enforcement agencies}}
{{Portal bar|Law}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Law enforcement occupations]]
[[Category:Prison officers| ]]