Experienced officers receive inservice training to keep abreast of new ideas and procedures. Correctional officers have the opportunity to join prison tactical response teams, which are trained to respond to riots, hostage situations, forced cell moves, and other potentially dangerous confrontations. Team members often receive monthly training and practice with weapons, chemical agents, forced entry methods and other tactics. Many correctional institutions require experience as a correctional officer for other corrections positions. Ambitious correctional officers can be promoted all the way up to warden.
Officers sometimes transfer to related areas, such as parole officer.
Starting salaries were slightly higher in selected areas where prevailing local pay levels were higher. Correctional officers employed in the public sector usually are provided uniforms or a clothing allowance to purchase their own uniforms. They also receive vacation and sick leave and pension benefits. Officers employed by the Federal Government and most State governments are covered by civil service systems or merit boards. Their retirement coverage entitles them to retire at age 50 after 20 years of service or at any age with 25 years of service.