A detention officer is responsible for supervising people in detention centers who have been charged with a crime as well as those who are in jail awaiting trial. The officer’s responsibilities include working at the jail and transporting inmates to their trials. The majority of detention officers work in juvenile offender facilities, county correctional centers, and maximum-security prisons.
Detention officers must meet certain qualifications, which include education and training. The requirements vary slightly state or jurisdiction, but most states and jurisdictions require officers to have completed high school and be at least eighteen years old. A detention officer must be physically fit, in good health, and have a clean criminal record. Most prisons have their own training program that new officers must complete. Criminal justice degrees and basic law enforcement certifications are recommended for candidates who are serious about working in this field.
A guard at a local jail is one type of job for a detention officer. This officer is in charge of ensuring that inmates are processed into the system and that they are constantly supervised. Officers are frequently called upon to break up fights, search for illegal substances, and keep an eye on inmates in the yard.
A juvenile detention officer is another type of detention officer. Officers who work in these facilities are responsible for the well-being and activities of young offenders. One of this professional’s responsibilities is to notify the prison psychologists and warden of any suspicious or criminal behavior. The officer’s other responsibilities include making sure the juvenile attends required classes and participates in rehabilitation programs.
The primary responsibilities of some detention officers include guarding and assisting medical professionals who work in prisons. While the inmates are being treated doctors and nurses, the officer keeps an eye on them. If the prisoner needs to be transported to and from another facility for treatment, the officer will assist in the transportation of the prisoner. Detention officers who have been specifically trained for this role also assist in the dispensing of medication and the collection of basic vital statistics.
The majority of detention officers work in dangerous environments. Officers are at risk of being hurt if they intervene in inmate fights or get into an altercation with the inmate. People working in this field must be available at all times of the week, including weekends. Officers usually work in shifts and may be assigned to work in the mornings or at night.