There are a number of different things that you must know or do before becoming a detention officer. The basic responsibility of this position includes guarding individuals who are considered a suspect in a crime, and are waiting for their trial to occur, or watching over those that have received a conviction and have been sentenced to pay for their crime.



The conviction may be served in a jail, a prison that is considered to be reformatory, or even in what is called a penitentiary. In this article, you will be introduced to the 4 important things you must know or do before becoming a detention officer.

1. Roles and Responsibilities:

As a Detention Officer, you will have many roles and responsibilities. Your main responsibility is to maintain a high level of security in the facility that you serve. You must ensure that all of the inmates that you are responsible for are accounted for at all times.

It is also your responsibility to make certain that potential disturbances are prevented, and if they break out anyway, you must be able to take complete control over the situation and put a stop to them. All forms of battery and assault within the facility that you serve must be prevented, and dealt with appropriately. In addition to this, you must work to ensure that inmates do not escape.

2. Training:

Training is an essential component of becoming a Detention Officer. While many facilities will offer training that is on the job, there are many prisons and jails that will require that you attend a Corrections Academy or Criminal Justice school.

While these academies vary in standards and educational requirements by state, they almost always strive for successful candidates to have a certain level of physical health and endurance, a general knowledge of the Criminal Justice System, firearms training for proficiency and self defense training.

3. Growth and Outlook:

The job growth and outlook for Detention Officers is excellent. Due to the fact that several thousand crimes are committed in any middle to high populated county in the United States daily, there is an increased need for officers to supervise the criminals that perform these crimes. In all cases, these positions are government jobs and are in high demand among government agencies that house criminals. This means that the compensation that you will receive for this type of position will be average to high.

4. Personal Safety:

Personal safety is an important consideration when it comes to jobs as a Detention Officer. While it is true that most inmates are held in cells, there are times when they are released from those cells. This includes the times when they have meals, outdoor free time, and even times that may be allowed for intermingling with other inmates in classes, support groups, and/or social activities. It is possible that your personal safety will be endangered. However, the education and training often provides you with the ability to effectively protect yourself.

Conclusion:

Becoming a Detention Officer is an exciting career in the Criminal Justice System. It gives you a level of authority and the ability to effectively rehabilitate individuals who have been found guilty of certain crimes. The growth, outlook, and benefits of this position are exceptional. However, you should also consider your roles and responsibilities, training, and personal safety when considering a career as a Detention Officer.

Note: You are free to reprint or republish this article. The only condition is that the Resource Box should be included and the links are clickable.