What kind of training does a correctional officer need?
Correctional officers need at least a high school diploma. Some positions require college education. The Federal Bureau of Prisons requires correctional officers to have a minimum of a bachelor degree and 3 years of related full time work experience. Some state and local agencies require some college credits. Many correctional officers have military experience that can be substituted for college credits. Most correctional officers receive thorough on the job training that takes weeks to months to complete. Experienced officers supervise all new correctional officers. Correctional officers regularly participate in annual training to stay up to date on new developments and procedures.
