# Prison officer > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Prison_officer > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Prison_officer.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prison_officer > Source revision: 1356096402 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Law enforcement official Prisons officer A prison guard on lookout in the watchtower at Parramatta Gaol Occupation Names Corrections Officer Correctional Officer Correctional Law Enforcement Officer Correctional Police Officer (New Jersey) Correctional Peace Officer (California) Detention Officer Detention Deputy Jailer Prison Guard Prison Officer Occupation type Employment Activity sectors Law enforcement Description Competencies See Working environment Education required See Training Fields of employment Prisons, jails Related jobs Police officer A **prison officer** (**PO**) or **corrections officer** (**CO**), also known as a **correctional law enforcement officer** is a [uniformed](/source/Uniformed_services) law enforcement [official](/source/Official) responsible for the custody, supervision, safety, and regulation of [prisoners](/source/Prisoner). ## Terms for the role A turnkey of a Paris prison, 19th century A Russian jail with a prison guard, 1915 Historically, terms such as "[jailer](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/jailer)" (also spelled "[gaoler](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/gaoler)"), "guard" and "warder"[1] have all been used. Slang terms have included "turnkey", "screw", "tier boot", "hura", "CO", "Cop", "boss", "keeper", and others pending the region or area. The term "prison officer" is used for the role in the UK[2] and Ireland.[3] It is the official English title in Denmark,[4] Finland,[5] Sweden[6] and Poland.[7] The term "corrections officer" or "correction officer" is used in the U.S.[8][9] and New Zealand.[10] "Detention officer" is used in the U.S.,[11] as is the term "penal officer".[12] 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".[13][14] Brazil has a similar system to New Jersey, but the officers are known as "state penal police agent" or "federal penal police agent".[15] "Correctional officer" is used in Australia,[16] Canada,[17][18][19] Jamaica,[20] and the U.S.[21] In Australia, prison officers were known as turnkeys until the 19th century after which they were known as warders until the late 20th century. Following this period they were known as prison officers and later correctional officers. A slang term for a prison officer throughout the [British Empire](/source/British_Empire) was, and still is, 'screw'.[22][23] The official who is in charge of a specific prison is known by various titles, including: "[prison warden](/source/Prison_warden)" (US and Canada), "governor" (UK and Australia), "superintendent" (South Asia) or "director" (New Zealand), respectively "Direktor" or "Gefängnisdirektor" (Germany). ## Duties US Marshals and prisoners on board a [Con Air flight](/source/Justice_Prisoner_Air_Transportation_System) 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.[24] 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 [socioeconomic](/source/Socioeconomics) of the region. In the United States, both Federal and State Correctional Officers attend Correctional Academies similar to Police or other Law Enforcement raining academies, these will vary from state to state. 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](/source/Use_of_force) and restraints (i.e., [handcuffs](/source/Handcuffs), [leg-irons](/source/Fetters), [belly-chains](/source/Belly_chain_(restraint)), etc.) - Weapons ([firearms](/source/Firearm), [taser](/source/Taser), [pepper spray](/source/Pepper_spray), [baton](/source/Baton_(law_enforcement)), etc.) - [Self-defense](/source/Self-defense) - [First aid](/source/First_aid) and [CPR](/source/Cardiopulmonary_resuscitation) - [Report](/source/Report) writing - Giving [testimony](/source/Testimony) in [court](/source/Court) - Defusing [hostility](/source/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](/source/Critical_incident_stress_management) - [Occupational Safety and Health Act](/source/Occupational_Safety_and_Health_Act) (U.S.) or [Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System](/source/Workplace_Hazardous_Materials_Information_System) (Canada) - [Gang](/source/Gang) awareness and intervention - Crisis or [hostage](/source/Hostage_crisis) negotiation - Drug abuse training - Rehabilitation programs - Rapid response training - [Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003](/source/Prison_Rape_Elimination_Act_of_2003) (PREA) - [Diversity, equity, and inclusion](/source/Diversity%2C_equity%2C_and_inclusion) (DEI) - Staff wellness ## Specialized units Most institutions in the United States have a crisis resolution team of some sort, though these vary in name: Name Abbreviation Crisis Resolution Team CRT Special Response Team SRT Critical Incident Response Team CIRT Correctional Emergency Response Team 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](/source/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](/source/Bailiff) - [Law enforcement officer](/source/Law_enforcement_officer) - [Parole officer](/source/Parole_officer) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["warder, n.1"](https://www.oed.com/search/dictionary/?q=warder%2C+n.1). *[Oxford English Dictionary](/source/Oxford_English_Dictionary)* (online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or [participating institution membership](https://www.oed.com/public/login/loggingin#withyourlibrary) required.) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Working for HMPS"](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-prison-service/about/recruitment#prison-officer). [UK Government](/source/UK_Government). Retrieved 18 November 2015. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** [Irish Prison Service – Recruitment](http://www.irishprisons.ie/recruitment-home.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110617002332/http://www.irishprisons.ie/recruitment-home.htm) 17 June 2011 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine). Retrieved 29 November 2011 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** [The Danish Prison and Probation Service – General Information, page 5](http://www.kriminalforsorgen.dk/Files/Filer/Publikationer/Brochurer/kort_og_godt_uk_2011.pdf) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20140317062116/http://www.kriminalforsorgen.dk/Files/Filer/Publikationer/Brochurer/kort_og_godt_uk_2011.pdf) 17 March 2014 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Retrieved 2012-07-07 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [The Training Institute for Prison and Probation Services, Finland](http://www.rskk.fi/inenglish/) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20111205022848/http://www.rskk.fi/inenglish/) 5 December 2011 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Retrieved 29 November 2011 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Swedish Prison and Probation Service – Fact Sheet](http://www.sweden.gov.se/content/1/c6/01/61/94/0602f648.pdf). Retrieved 29 November 2011 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [Compendium for foreign nationals on remand, convicted or punished](https://www.sw.gov.pl/uploads/5846de09_5fb8_41a6_ad3b_213cc0a80015_angielski.pdf) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [Indeed: Corrections Officer Salary](http://www.indeed.com/salary/Corrections-Officer.html) Retrieved 2012-07-07 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [Yukon Department of Justice website](http://www.justice.gov.yk.ca/prog/cor/wcc/wccknow.html) Retrieved 29 November 2011 1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** [New Zealand Department of Corrections – Job Description](http://www.corrections.govt.nz/careers/opportunities-at-corrections/prison-services-jobs/corrections-officer.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20121005072956/http://www.corrections.govt.nz/careers/opportunities-at-corrections/prison-services-jobs/corrections-officer.html) 5 October 2012 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine). Corrections.govt.nz Retrieved 29 November 2011 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [FBI Atlanta: Former Fulton County Detention Officer Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison](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) Retrieved 2012-07-07 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** [Career Occupational Profile for: Penal Officer](http://occupations.careers.org/14767/penal-officer) Retrieved 2014-03-17 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [NJ Civil Service: Correctional Police Officer](https://info.csc.state.nj.us/jobspec/55628.htm) Retrieved 2021-06-13 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** [NJ Civil Service: County Correctional Police Officer](https://info.csc.state.nj.us/jobspec/01400.htm) Retrieved 2021-06-13 1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Junior, Janary (6 July 2024). ["Promulgada emenda constitucional que cria Polícia Penal, para atuar no sistema prisional"](https://www.camara.leg.br/noticias/621785-promulgada-emenda-constitucional-que-cria-policia-penal-para-atuar-no-sistema-prisional/). *Câmara dos Deputados* (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 6 July 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** [Queensland Corrective Services – Employment Information](http://www.correctiveservices.qld.gov.au/Employment/Custodial_Operations/cco.shtml) Retrieved 2012-07-07 1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** [Correctional Service Canada – Correctional officer job profile](http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/carinf/correctional-eng.shtml) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20110824031342/http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/carinf/correctional-eng.shtml) 24 August 2011 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) Retrieved 29 November 2011 1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** [Ontario Correctional Services – Careers](http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/corr_serv/careers_in_corr/become_corr_off/careers_corr_become_off.html) Retrieved 29 November 2011 1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** [British Columbia Corrections – Employment Information](http://www.employment.gov.bc.ca/corrections/?p=Training) Retrieved 29 November 2011 1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** [Jamaica Department of Correctional Service – Roles of Correctional Officer](https://web.archive.org/web/20110921035452/http://www.dcsj.net/dcsj/RolesofCorrectionalOfficer.htm) Retrieved 29 November 2011 1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** [US Department of Labor – Correctional Officer job statistics](http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos156.htm) Retrieved 29 November 2011 1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["Why Are Prison Officers Called Screws in the UK?"](https://prisonguide.co.uk/why-prison-guards-officers-are-called-screws/). *Prison Advice*. 23 July 2025. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Dawson, Christopher (20 June 2018). ["Screw!"](https://www.boggoroadgaol.com.au/2018/06/screw.html). *Inside Boggo Road*. Boggo Road Gaol Historical Society. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230127045203/https://www.boggoroadgaol.com.au/2018/06/screw.html?m=1) from the original on 27 January 2023. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010–11 Edition"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110628234838/http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos156.htm#nature). Archived from [the original](http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos156.htm#nature) on 28 June 2011. Retrieved 25 June 2011. ## Further reading - Correctional Service of Canada. [Correctional Officers and Their First Year: An Empirical Investigation](http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/rsrch/reports/r179/r179-eng.shtml) - 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](http://www.auditorgen.state.az.us/Reports/State_Agencies/Agencies/Corrections)[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] - Tracy, S. J. (2004). [The construction of correctional officers: Layers of emotionality behind bars](https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Sarah_Tracy3/publication/238432762_The_Construction_of_Correctional_Officers_Layers_of_Emotionality_Behind_Bars/links/55ea179008aeb6516265e2ab.pdf). Qualitative Inquiry, 10, 509–533. - Tracy, S. J., Meyers, K., & Scott, C. (2007). [Cracking jokes and crafting selves: Sensemaking and identity management among human service workers](https://nca.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/03637750600889500). 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