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What background experience do you need for a correctional officer?

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E. C’s Answer

Dear Sabina V,


It's always good to get you feet wet with security first and obtain a SORA. After that you can volunteer as an Auxiliary in your local district. It also wouldn't hurt to download PDFs online dealing with Criminal Law and Criminal Justice. But the most important thing to do is network with anyone or anything dealing with Law Enforcement and Security. Learn the prison systems by watching YouTube videos on it. If you are in College it would not hurt to take some sociology and psychology classes because those two are umbrellas over understanding mankind's attitudes and behaviors. I wish you the best on your journey.
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Mary’s Answer

This depends on the role you are applying for and the system you are looking to work in. Most only require a clean background. Everything else either they will train you for or is just helpful. For example, my husband was CO at a state facility in Texas. He applied with no educational background beyond high school and no experience that directly related to the role. They trained him for everything. Fortunately for him, he had extensive martial arts and medical background that helped him to better perform in his role but it was not required.
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James’s Answer

In short, you don't "need" experience to be a Corrections Officer. There is plenty of experience that helps. Loss Prevention was something I did before I worked in Corrections, and I can say that it prepared me immensely. Loss Prevention put me in situations with dangerous people, where I had to use critical thinking skills. When I stepped in a prison for the first time, I had a lot less fear when engaging with prisoners because of this prior experience.
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