Correction Officers are responsible for the safety and security of the Commonwealths prisons. They monitor the activities and work assignments of inmates. They enforce rules to prevent escapes or fights between inmates.
Correction officers inspect cells and other areas for health and safety violations. They inspect locks, doors, fences, windows and bars for breaches or security.
Officers search inmates and their cells for illegal items such as weapons or drugs. In addition, officers screen visitors and mail for drugs or other banned items.
Correction Officers keep a daily log of inmate activities. They report on inmate behavior. In addition, officers are required to write reports when inmates violate rules and regulations.
Officers use their verbal skills to settle disputes and enforce rules.
Most correction officers have a high level of contact with inmates. For example, they serve meals and hand out personal items. They also escort inmates to places within and outside of the prison such as court or hospitals. Officers may have to use force to restrain combative or assaultive inmates.
Officers monitor inmates and staff from central control centers and use closed circuit television cameras and a computer tracking systems. Officers may have to restrain prisoners when taking them to and from cells. Correction officers may work alone in housing units with up to 80 convicted felons.
This is one of the most stressfull and dangerous jobs of all. In the average month inmates assault 40 to 45 Correction Officers in Massachusetts State Prisons. That does not include the states county facilities. Officers have urine and feces thrown on them by violent and unpredictable inmates who may be infected with Hepatitis, MRSA, HIV or AIDS. Officers are bitten, punched, kicked or stabbed by inmates.
Its no wonder that that national average life expectancy of a Correction Officer is 59 yrs while the life expectancy for the aveage male is 70 yrs. These are just a few of the sobering realities of being a Correction Officer.
No, officers who work inside the prisons carry only a set of keys, a two way radio and a pair of handcuffs. Officers who are assigned to towers and control centers do have access to weapons and in the event that an inmate attempts to escape they must obtain authorization to use the weapons.
MCOFU represents all state Correction Officers and several counties. Officers salary and benefits are deterimined by the specific Collective Bargaining Agreeemnt (union contract). State Correction Officers are the third highest paid in the nation according to the National Bureau of Labor Statsitics with maxed out C.O.1 earning a base anual salary of $60,303.00 not including roll call, holdidays, overtime et..
For further information on the becoming a Correction Officer click on the link to recruit FAQs.
In accordance with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 31, ยง 64, applicants must have graduated from high school or must possess an equivalency certificate issued by the Massachusetts Department of Education; or must have served at least three years in the armed forces of the United States, the last discharge or release from which must have been under honorable conditions; must be able to obtain a permit to carry firearms; and must be without any prior criminal record or incarceration in jail or house of correction in accordance with Chapter 777, Acts of 1982. You must take and pass a civil service exam.