5831 Correction and Detention Specialist

Core Skills

• access control and identity verification
• incident reporting and documentation
• policy and procedure enforcement
• risk assessment and mitigation
• behavioral observation and reporting
• evidence and property chain-of-custody
• conflict de-escalation
• radio and control room communications
• shift and post turnover documentation
• team coordination under stress

Civilian Career Paths

• Corrections
• Physical Security
• Private Security

Training & Development

What the Work Involves

• Conduct head counts to ensure that each prisoner is present.
• Inspect conditions of locks, window bars, grills, doors, and gates at correctional facilities to ensure security and help prevent escapes.
• Monitor conduct of prisoners in housing unit, or during work or recreational activities, according to established policies, regulations, and procedures, to prevent escape or violence.
• Search prisoners and vehicles and conduct shakedowns of cells for valuables and contraband, such as weapons or drugs.
• Guard facility entrances to screen visitors.

Typical preparation for these civilian roles: a high school diploma and some on-the-job training.