O*NET-SOC 33-3012.00

Correctional Officers and Jailers

Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures. May guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Includes deputy sheriffs and police who spend the majority of their time guarding prisoners in correctional institutions.

Preparation

ItemValue
Preparation zoneZone 2 – Some preparation needed
What O*NET says the zone requiresSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed
Broad occupation in O*NETTrue (Yes)
Skills listed for this occupation6
Abilities listed for this occupation6
Tasks listed for this occupation5
Interest scores given for this occupation6

Skills

The 6 skills with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

SkillO*NET elementImportanceDate
Active Listening2.A.1.b4.008/2023
Monitoring2.A.2.d4.008/2023
Social Perceptiveness2.B.1.a4.008/2023
Speaking2.A.1.d3.8808/2023
Critical Thinking2.A.2.a3.7508/2023
Reading Comprehension2.A.1.a3.6208/2023

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Abilities

The 6 abilities with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

AbilityO*NET elementImportanceDate
Oral Comprehension1.A.1.a.14.008/2023
Oral Expression1.A.1.a.34.008/2023
Problem Sensitivity1.A.1.b.34.008/2023
Deductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.43.7508/2023
Inductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.53.7508/2023
Speech Clarity1.A.4.b.53.7508/2023

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Tasks

The tasks O*NET records for this occupation, with the type, respondent count and date each record carries.

TaskTypeIncumbents respondingDate
Conduct head counts to ensure that each prisoner is present.Core8108/2023
Inspect conditions of locks, window bars, grills, doors, and gates at correctional facilities to ensure security and help prevent escapes.Core8108/2023
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.Core8108/2023
Search prisoners and vehicles and conduct shakedowns of cells for valuables and contraband, such as weapons or drugs.Core8108/2023
Guard facility entrances to screen visitors.Core8108/2023

Work interests

The interest scores O*NET gives this occupation, on the six interest types.

InterestScoreDate
Realistic5.3511/2023
Conventional4.711/2023
Social3.8911/2023
Enterprising3.2111/2023
Investigative1.7111/2023
Artistic1.0111/2023

More occupations in preparation zone 2

Source: O*NET 29.1 Database (Occupation Data, Job Zones, Skills, Abilities, Task Statements, Interests), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Data fetched 2026-10-31. See about and sources.