Correctional Officer

Careers in Corrections Correctional services play a key role in Ontario’s criminal justice system. Ontario operates adult correctional institutions and probation and parole offices for offenders serving jail sentences of less than two years and community supervision for up to three years. This includes the supervision of adult offenders under provincial parole supervision, as well as providing programs and services designed to assist in offender rehabilitation.

A career in corrections will appeal to individuals who enjoy working rotating shifts and tackling challenges on the job. Duties include ensuring the security and custody of inmates, as well as providing rehabilitative care to inmates that meets their diverse and unique needs. Correctional officers are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Correctional officers receive a thorough training program, both on the job and at a ministry training site. Training includes search procedures, self-defense and emergency response. Correctional officers must be:
•alert and prepared to react to the unexpected
•able to handle a variety of difficult situations when dealing with the inmate population
•able to communicate effectively with a variety of people
•able to work as a member of a team of professionals in the care and rehabilitation of inmates
•willing to work shifts

Becoming a Correctional Officer