Community Jobs Instructor Ruth Walsh helps Washtenaw Community College students understand what to expect from their careers in the corrections field. P risons are not considered nice places. But Robbie Layton, who's made a career in corrections, sees it differently.
Most prisons are good places to work.
A job in corrections is especially good for someone who wants to get into a career quickly. Job opportunities are on the upswing The demand for officers is rising as prison populations increase due largely to stricter sentences for drug violations. In 1998 there were approximately one million inmates in state and federal prisons and 383,000 corrections officers working in jails, prisons and youth facilities nationwide. These positions offer good pay, benefits and room for advancement. College program offers doses of reality Until recently anyone who wanted to become a corrections officer in Michigan was required to take 15 credit hours in a college program before they could take the civil service exam to be admitted to the corrections academy.