The Federal Government, as well as almost every State and a few localities, provides training for correction officers. Some States have special training academies. Experienced officers sometimes receive inservice training to keep abreast of new ideas and procedures. With additional education, experience, or training, qualified officers may advance to correction sergeant or other supervisory administrative, or counseling positions. Many correctional institutions require experience as a correction officer for other corrections positions.
Officers sometimes transfer to related areas, such as probation and parole.
Job Outlook Employment of correction officers is expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2000 as additional officers are hired to supervise and counsel an increasing number of inmates and to relieve tensions in already crowded correctional institutions. Expansion and new construction of correctional facilities are also expected to create many new jobs for correction officers. Most job openings, however, will result from the need to replace experienced workers who retire or transfer to other occupations. Difficult working conditions and the availability of jobs in other corrections or protective service occupations contribute to a particularly high turnover rate. Employment of correction officers is not usually affected by changes either in economic conditions or the overall level of government spending because security must be maintained in correctional institutions at all times.