We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Corrections Officer

Save
March 29, 2024 Updated May 12, 2025 21 minute read

A Corrections Officer plays a vital role in the criminal justice system, primarily responsible for the supervision, safety, and security of individuals incarcerated in correctional facilities such as jails and prisons. This profession involves maintaining order, enforcing rules and regulations, and preventing disturbances, assaults, and escapes. Beyond the fundamental aspect of security, the role has evolved, with an increasing emphasis on assisting in the rehabilitation of inmates. This makes the career a complex and multifaceted one, demanding a unique blend of authority, empathy, and resilience.

Share

Help others find this career page by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Salaries for Corrections Officer

City
Median
New York
$72,000
San Francisco
$83,000
Seattle
$68,000
See all salaries
City
Median
New York
$72,000
San Francisco
$83,000
Seattle
$68,000
Austin
$47,000
Toronto
$62,000
London
£46,000
Paris
€47,000
Berlin
€42,000
Tel Aviv
₪14,000
Singapore
S$63,000
Beijing
¥48,000
Shanghai
¥86,000
Shenzhen
¥98,000
Bengalaru
₹310,000
Delhi
₹282,000
Bars indicate relevance. All salaries presented are estimates. Completion of this course does not guarantee or imply job placement or career outcomes.

Path to Corrections Officer

Take the first step.
We've curated 24 courses to help you on your path to Corrections Officer. Use these to develop your skills, build background knowledge, and put what you learn to practice.
Sorted from most relevant to least relevant:

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of the latest research on crime and criminal justice. It valuable resource for students who want to learn about the most cutting-edge research in the field.
A seminal work that argues the U.S. criminal justice system acts as a contemporary system of racial control. is crucial for understanding the social and historical context of mass incarceration and its disproportionate impact on communities of color. It is essential reading for students and professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of systemic issues.
This clinical guide provides evidence-based guidance on the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of substance use disorders.
This comprehensive and authoritative textbook widely used in the medical and clinical fields. It provides a broad understanding of addiction as a disease, covering its neurobiology, assessment, and treatment. is essential for those seeking a deep, evidence-based dive into the medical aspects of substance abuse and standard reference for professionals and graduate students.
A robust and updated textbook covering the assessment and treatment of substance use disorders from a psychiatric perspective. It includes the latest research and clinical approaches, making it an essential reference for medical professionals, researchers, and advanced students in the field of addiction psychiatry.
Through powerful personal narratives, this book highlights issues of wrongful conviction, racial bias, and the death penalty in the American South. It offers a compelling and accessible look at the human impact of the criminal justice system and must-read for anyone seeking to understand its real-world consequences.
This manual presents an empirically supported treatment model specifically designed for individuals with co-occurring PTSD and substance abuse. It is an invaluable resource for clinicians working with this population, offering practical tools and interventions. It addresses a critical and common comorbidity in substance abuse treatment.
Offers a compassionate and insightful perspective on addiction, drawing on the author's extensive experience. It explores the root causes of addiction, including trauma and social determinants, providing a broader understanding beyond the biological aspects. It's valuable for all levels, offering a deeply humanistic view.
This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of international criminal law, including the history, sources, and principles of the field. It good resource for students who want to learn more about the international legal framework for dealing with crime.
Provides a critical analysis of the American criminal justice system, arguing that it is biased against the poor and minorities. It good resource for students who want to learn more about the social and political context of crime and punishment.
Offers a detailed guide to applying cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques to the treatment of addictive behaviors. It practical resource for clinicians and students, providing evidence-based strategies for assessment, intervention, and relapse prevention. It key text for those focusing on therapeutic approaches.
This introductory text specifically addresses the intersection of race, crime, and the criminal justice system. It's a vital resource for understanding racial disparities and their impact on all aspects of the system, suitable for students at all levels.
Provides a compelling history of addiction, examining how societal views and approaches to substance use have evolved over time. It offers valuable context for understanding contemporary issues and challenges in the field. It's suitable for a broad audience, including high school and undergraduate students, providing a strong historical foundation.
Challenges traditional views of addiction as a moral failing, presenting it instead as a learning disorder. It offers a nuanced and evidence-based perspective that is valuable for understanding the complexities of addiction and reducing stigma. It's suitable for a wide audience and contributes to contemporary discussions.
Focusing on the study of crime itself, this textbook offers a concise yet comprehensive overview of criminological theories and research. It's suitable for undergraduate students and provides essential background knowledge for understanding the 'why' behind criminal justice responses. The book uses real-world examples to illustrate complex theories.
Chronicles the history of the harm reduction movement, highlighting its impact on addiction treatment and policy. It provides a crucial understanding of this alternative approach and its potential for addressing the ongoing addiction crisis. It's a relevant read for understanding contemporary issues and policy debates.
Offers a comprehensive introduction to the history, organization, and function of policing in the United States. It's a standard textbook for undergraduate courses focusing on law enforcement and provides essential knowledge for anyone interested in this aspect of criminal justice.
Combining personal memoir with scientific research, this book challenges conventional wisdom about drugs and addiction. The author, a neuroscientist, offers a provocative look at drug policy, the science of addiction, and the role of socioeconomic factors. It's a valuable read for those interested in critical perspectives on addiction.
Providing a thorough overview of correctional philosophies, practices, and institutions in the U.S., this textbook key resource for understanding the third pillar of the criminal justice system. It's suitable for undergraduate students and those interested in probation, parole, and institutional corrections.
Explores the profound impact of trauma on the brain and body, a critical factor in understanding the origins and complexities of substance abuse. While not exclusively about addiction, it provides essential background knowledge on trauma-informed care, highly relevant for anyone working in the field. It widely acclaimed book in the mental health field.
Table of Contents
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser