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Prisons need many people to oversee the inmates. la prison image by harmonie57 from Fotolia.com Prison guards or correctional officers are responsible for overseeing people who have been arrested, are awaiting trial or have been sentenced to a facility. A prison guard is most likely to work in some form of detention facility, such as a juvenile detention center, city or county jail, or prison. The institution will set the minimum requirements for acceptance. Most will require a minimal level of education, health and a clean criminal record.
Education
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The education requirements for prison guards depend on the facility. However, most will require at least a high school diploma and that the applicant be 18. To work in the federal system, a prison guard needs a bachelor's degree and 3 years of relevant experience in a law enforcement or counseling field. State and local facilities may require some college-level instruction, but experience in law enforcement or the military can often fulfill this requirement. Once accepted, most detention facilities offer their own training academies for the new guards.
Health
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Most detention facilities have minimum health requirements for their guards. Each facility will set its own standards for fitness, and potential officers will may be expected to pass a fitness test. In addition to this, good eyesight and hearing are also needed, along with the minimum standards set by the institution. Applicants will also be screened for drug use.
Other Qualifications
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A prison guard must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and be free of felony convictions. To work in a federal prison, an applicant must be appointed before he turns 37. Written exams are also a requirement in some institutions. These may test the applicant's ability to work in a correctional environment. Applicants must also be able to make decisions quickly and use good judgment under pressure.
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