7 Correctional Job Assignments

There are seven different types of correctional job assignments based on the location in the facility, job description, and the type of contact with inmates (Schmalleger & Smykla, 2015). These correctional assignments are block officers, work detail supervisors, industrial shop and school officers, yard officers, administrative officers, perimeter security officers, and relief officers (Schmalleger & Smykla, 2015).

Block officers are primarily responsible for the security and safety of inmates in the housing areas and are greatly outnumbered by inmates they supervise (Schmalleger & Smykla, 2015). These officers accomplish this by conducting count checks, maintaining orderly conduct, inspecting property, keeping watchful eye on inmate activity, and searching the inmates (Schmalleger & Smykla, 2015).

Work detail supervisors are responsible for monitoring inmates conducting specific work tasks such as laundry, food services, maintenance or farming work (Schmalleger & Smykla, 2015). These tasks can be both inside and outside the facility (Schmalleger & Smykla, 2015). These supervisors must keep a detailed inventory of tools and equipments the inmates use to ensure nothing goes missing to

These officers have little contact with the inmates or other correctional officers and because there are such few escape attempts, it’s easy for these officers to become complacent (Schmalleger & Smykla, 2015). Perimeter security officers are typically assigned to towers, wall posts, and patrolling of the perimeters (Schmalleger & Smykla, 2015).

The relief officers are very experienced in all facets of the different duties inside the correctional facility (Schmalleger & Smykla, 2015). They are responsible to fill in for officers that call out sick, on vacations or simply need to fill