Criminal Justice Jobs: Becoming a Juvenile Corrections Officer

Young offenders present a unique opportunity for reform. Their personalities and decision-making skills are not yet set in stone. With the proper guidance, they can use their time in custody to learn the life skills necessary to become productive, contributing members of society. As a juvenile corrections officer, you can make a real difference in their lives.

 

The field of juvenile corrections is one of the jobs in criminal justice that is constantly developing. Juvenile corrections officers are finding new ways of rehabilitating the youths under their charge. For instance, a recent study at the New Jersey Department of Corrections determined that inmates who completed high school and earned their GED while in custody were significantly less likely to commit crimes once released.

Work as a juvenile corrections officer can be incredibly rewarding. The job presents the opportunity to help change the course of the lives of the youths they work with. At the same time, however, the profession is complex: juvenile corrections officers must find the proper balance between punishment for the crime, and rehabilitation.

 

More than a mere security officer, a person working in juvenile corrections can expect to be at times a counselor, a jailor, a teacher, and above all a role model. Juvenile corrections officers are frequently the best examples of adult behavior available to the youths in their care. The hope is that during their confinement the inmates will learn new ways of dealing and not resume their past habits when they are released.

 

Juvenile corrections officers are employed at variety of facilities. You may work at large juvenile detention center, a halfway house, or as a probation officer. In all cases, working with young people requires both sensitivity and a strong sense of authority. And don’t forget physical fitness—juvenile corrections officers may be called on to break up fights and keep the peace between inmates.

From 2000 to 2007 the number of prisoners in America grew by 2.4 percent each year. As the prison population rises, so does the need for corrections and juvenile corrections officers.

 

Currently, salaries for juvenile corrections officers average $39,400 per year. Benefits packages are often extensive and provide access to state and federal healthcare and retirement planning networks. For example, the New Jersey Department of Corrections starting compensation package includes 2.5 weeks vacation and 15 sick days per year.

As criminal justice careers gain in popularity (and the need for criminal justice professionals increases), so does the availability of training programs. Most juvenile corrections positions require a bachelor’s degree. Look for schools tat offer programs in Juvenile Probation and Corrections.

 

Entry-level openings, however, may accept applicants with a two-year associate’s degree in the field. Since there is such a large focus on rehabilitation, coursework in youth psychology is highly recommended as well.

 

As with any government job that deals with minors, you can expect to undergo a national criminal background check.

As discussed, the skills necessary for this job are wide-ranging. Depending on what type of work you find most satisfying as a juvenile corrections officer, there are many career options for the future.

 

Officers who are interested in the one-on-one time they spend with their charges might be interested in a career as a therapist. Treatment centers and halfway houses need staff that can help youths reintegrate themselves into society after an extended stay at a correctional institution.

 

But if working at a correctional institution is your favorite part of the job, you may decide to look into work at a state or federal penitentiary. These facilities are much larger than their juvenile counterparts, and require tough, disciplined correctional officers.

If you’re interested in learning more about juvenile corrections—and the latest methods in the field—look into some of the following organizations: