The Federal Bureau of Prisons operates numerous facilities in Texas, making it one of the most important states in the country in terms of federal inmates supervised. These facilities include:
- Federal Correctional Institution at Big Spring holds1,581 low security males
- Federal Correctional Institution at Fort Worth houses 1,861 low security males
- Federal Correctional Institution at Seagoville housed 1,914 low security male inmates
- Federal Correctional Institution at Bastrop holds 1,211 low security male prisoners
- Federal Correctional Institution at Three Rivers holds 1,114 medium security male inmates
- Federal Correctional Complex at Beaumont holds 5,206 male inmates in low, medium and high security
- Federal Detention Center in Houston holds 945 males and females
- Federal Prison Camp at Bryan holds 885 females in minimum security
Texas is home to the nation’s largest prison system. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) employs approximately 25,000 correctional officers who oversee 152,000 offenders housed in 111 state prisons. The TDCJ is seeking upstanding individuals to join the ranks of proud Texas correctional officers, and is offering a $3,000 recruiting bonus to new correctional officers in select units.
Developing some skills in human services alongside knowledge of the criminal justice system can make you a more competitive candidate for various roles in state or federal corrections in Texas. Concordia University, St. Paul offers flexible online programs in criminal justice, forensic behavior health, CJ leadership, and more. Request information to find out more about the online criminal justice programs available through CSP Global.
Eligibility Requirements Texas Correctional Officer Jobs
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Federal correctional officers working with the Federal Bureau of Prisons must meet these eligibility criteria:
- Be at least 21 years of age but no older than 36
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Have no serious criminal convictions
- Have a good credit history
Correctional officers who enter the BOP at the GS-5 pay grade should also possess these qualifications:
- Have a bachelor’s degree; or
- Have three years of full time experience in teaching, management, emergency response or sales
GS-6 correctional officers should have these qualifications:
- Completed nine semester hours of graduate study in social science, law or criminology; or
- Have one year of full time experience in corrections, policing, or mental health care
Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)
- At least 18 years old
- U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S.
- High school diploma or GED certificate
- No felony, drug-related or domestic violence convictions
- No Class A or B misdemeanor convictions in last 10 or 5 years respectively
- Males need proof of selective service registration or exemption
- No pending criminal charges
- Able to stand for long periods, climb stairs/ladders, squat/bend, work at high heights, carry a body (including up/down stairs), work indoors/outdoors without air conditioning.
- Willing to work in a highly structured environment.
Duties/Responsibilities of Texas Correctional Officers
- Count, feed, and supervise offenders.
- Search for contraband; conduct “pat” and “strip” body searches.
- Restrain combative inmates.
- Respond to emergencies; perform first aid.
- Transport inmates.
- Use deadly force (firearms or chemical agents) when needed.
- Read, review and evaluate offender records.
Texas Prison System Employs State-of-the-Art Technology
A March 13, 2013 Star Telegram article notes that a “managed access system” that diverts text messages, e-mails and internet log-ins from contraband phones is being installed in Texas prisons. Smuggled cell phones have been used to plan escapes, run illicit businesses and threaten victims/officials. In 2012, officials seized 738 cell phones from Texas inmates.
How to Become a Correctional Officer in Texas
Individuals interested in learning how to become a correctional officer in Texas must complete an application, an employment application supplement and a statement of availability. These forms can be downloaded at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice/Employment website. The second step is to schedule a screening appointment at one of the 45 Texas locations listed. Completed forms should be brought to the appointment. The hiring process consists of the following components:
- Pre-employment test consisting of questions measuring memory/observation, situational and deductive reasoning, reading comprehension and basic arithmetic. Test takes about 20 minutes and sample questions can be viewed online. Passing is necessary in order to continue the hiring process. Those who fail and retake the test; however, persons who fail twice must wait one year before re-applying.
- Drug test.
- Physical agility test involving as many as possible push-ups, sit-ups and deep squats in one minute each; carrying a 45-pound weight 30 yards; climbing up and down stairs for five minutes without stopping; and running or walking one-quarter mile in less than five-and-a-half minutes.
TDCJ recruiting officers are available at job fairs/seminars across the state. Check online for locations.
Correctional Officer Recruit Training in Texas
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Federal correctional officers must complete 200 hours of pre-employment training. The first 80 hours serve as orientation at the assigned facility, and the remaining 120 hours provide instruction in firearms, self-defense, and policies & procedures. In subsequent years, federal correctional officers must obtain 16 to 40 hours of training annually.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)
New recruits are required to attend a 40-hour pre-service training program at one of six Correctional Training Academy locations, followed by supervised on-the-job training at an assigned correctional facility.
Correctional Officer Salaries/Benefits in Texas
New recruits earn $2,319/month for the first two months, $2,454.90 for the third through eighth month and $2,598.05 for the ninth through 14th month. Average annual salaries thereafter range from a low of $21,337-$32,762 in places like Odessa to a high of $31,279-$48,028 in Dallas or Houston. Benefits include medical, dental and life insurance, free meals when on duty, free uniforms/equipment and uniform laundering.
Corrections Officer Salary in Texas
In 2012, the median correctional officer salary in Texas was reported in the Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-2013 Edition, released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), to be $34,180.
The most lucrative area for corrections officers by far was El Paso where the average was $44,660, a remarkable 23.5% over the state’s median salary.
Below are the correctional officer salaries in Texas according to the Texas State Auditor’s Office, State Classification Team:
Correctional Officer I:
- Minimum: $22,581
- Midpoint: $27,662
- Maximum: $32,742
Correctional Officer II:
- Minimum: $25,132
- Midpoint: $32,043
- Maximum: $38,955
Correctional Officer III:
- Minimum: $28,239
- Midpoint: $36,005
- Maximum: $43,770
Correctional Officer IV:
- Minimum: $29,933
- Midpoint: $38,164
- Maximum: $46,396
Correctional Officer V:
- Minimum: $33,633
- Midpoint: $42,881
- Maximum: $52,130
The salary figures below have been furnished by the Department of Labor and are inclusive of corrections officers across Texas:
Austin, Texas Corrections Officer Job Description
Correctional officer jobs in Austin can be found in some of the highest concentrations of any area in the country. Texas has a variety of federal, state, and privately managed correctional centers across the state, and Austin is no exception. There are nine detention facilities located within commuting distance of Austin, managed by four different agencies, all with their own employment and training standards.
Preparing to become a correctional officer in Austin is an important step towards a career that offers employment opportunities and promotional possibilities with a range of employing agencies.
Requirements for CO Jobs Near Austin with the Federal Bureau of Prisons
Federal Bureau of Prison facilities Near Austin
The following Federal Bureau of Prisons facilities are within commuting distance of Austin:
- Bastrop FCI – A 1,287-inmate low-security prison plus an adjoining minimum security satellite work camp
- FPC Bryan – 894 women offenders are assigned to this federal prison camp, about 100 miles east of Austin
Federal Bureau of Prisons Job Requirements
- The only acceptable substitution for a bachelor degree is three years of full-time work experience in a corrections-related area, such as teaching or supervising individuals and responding to emergency situations.
- Applicants starting at the GS-05 rank need to have a bachelor degree. This can be in any subject, with pertinent areas of study including:
- Criminal Justice
- Law Enforcement
- Homeland Security
- Law
Graduate-level study and specialized work experience can qualify candidates for higher ranking positions. All applicants must be US citizens between the ages of 20 to 37.
Requirements for CO Jobs Near Austin with the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice
Texas Department of Criminal Justice Facilities Near Austin
The following Texas Department of Criminal Justice facilities are within commuting distance of Austin:
- Travis County State Jail – with a male capacity of 1,161 inmates
- Halbert SAFP – a unit for up to a maximum of 612 female inmates
- Hamilton Unit – a pre-release facility that can hold up to 1,166 inmates
Texas Department of Criminal Justice Job Requirements
- Applicants for these positions must be US citizens
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must have no felony, domestic violence, or drug offense convictions
Requirements for CO Jobs Near Austin with the Corrections Corporation of
America (CCA)
Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) Facilities Near Austin
The following Corrections Corporation of America facilities are within commuting distance of Austin:
- CI Eden – 1,544 inmates about 160 miles northwest of Austin, managed by CCA under a contract from the federal Bureau of Prisons
- Bartlett State Jail – 1,049 inmates may be assigned to this jail, managed under a contract with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) Job Requirements
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must be willing to work any hours and shift
New correctional officers will receive 160 hours of orientation and basic training in their first year of employment, followed by at least 40 hours of on-the-job training.
Requirements for CO Jobs Near Austin with the Management and Training Corporation (MTC)
Management and Training Corporation Facilities Near Austin
The following Management and Training Corporation facilities are within commuting distance of Austin:
- Lockhart Correctional Facility – with a two units of a maximum of 500 inmates each, one male and one female. Management is contracted from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
- Kyle Correctional Center – 520 males is the maximum operating capacity, with management contracted by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Management and Training Corporation (MTC) Job Requirements
- Applicants must have an acceptable driving record and driver’s license
- Must have a high school diploma or GED
- Must be at least 18 years old
Applicants will also need to pass a physical agility test, drug test, and background investigation.
Correctional Officer Training in Austin
All correctional officers receive training that will prepare them to be capable and effective employees, including:
- Prison psychology and sociology
- Searching for contraband and hidden weapons
- Report writing
- Self-defense and close quarters combat
- Emergency response and hostage situations
Corpus Christi, Texas Corrections Officer Job Description
A correctional officer in Corpus Christi will find him or herself in an area with many options for employment. Federal, state, and private agencies – not to mention counties and municipalities – operate a variety of correctional facilities within an easy commute of the city. Hundreds of correctional officers work throughout the greater Corpus Christi area to ensure justice and rehabilitative programs are carried out efficiently and humanely.
Candidates who are interested in how to become a correctional officer in Corpus Christi can start by reviewing the hiring requirements set in place by each of these employers.
Requirements for CO Jobs Near Corpus Christi with the Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
The BOP is the federal agency tasked with providing incarceration services for inmates convicted of federal crimes. CI Willacy County to the south of Corpus Christi is under federal jurisdiction, however the BOP has contracted the management of this facility out to a private company. Nevertheless candidates who are interested in correctional officer jobs with the BOP should familiarize themselves with this agency’s hiring qualifications in the event that BOP retains management of CI Willacy County or opens new facilities in the Corpus Christi area. BOP standards can also be thought of as an industry benchmark, starting with education:
- Applicants need to have a bachelor’s degree in any subject. Particularly relevant areas of focus include:
- Criminal Justice
- Law Enforcement
- Law
- Homeland Security
Candidates are permitted to substitute three years of full-time work in a related area for a bachelor degree, and will also need to meet a few other minimum requirements:
- Be a US citizen
- Be between the ages of 20-37
Requirements for CO Jobs Near Corpus Christi with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
Texas Department of Criminal Justice Facilities near Corpus Christi
- Lopez State Jail – located in Edinburg with the capability of holding a maximum of 1,100 male inmates.
- Segovia Unit – this is a pre-release facility located in Edinburg that can hold a maximum of 1,224 prisoners.
- Glossbrenner SAFP – this unit is specifically for substance abusers, located in San Diego with the capability of holding 612 offenders.
- Connally Unit – this facility holds up to 2,148 prisoners and is located in Kenedy.
- Garza East Transfer Facility – located in Beeville, GETF can hold 1,978 inmates with an additional 480 housed in its work camp.
- Garza West Transfer Facility – located nearby GETF in Beeville, GWTF is capable of holding 2,278 inmates.
- McConnell Unit – located in Beeville, the McConnell Unit is capable of holding 2,900 inmates.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice Job Requirements
- Be a US citizen at least 18 years of age
- Have no charges related to domestic violence, felony, or drug offenses
- Have a high school diploma or GED
Requirements for CO Jobs Near Corpus Christi with Management and Training Corporation (MTC)
MTC Facilities near Corpus Christi
CI Willacy County – located in Raymondville about 100 miles south of Corpus Christi. This facility has an inmate population of 3,155 federal offenders. Management and Training Corporation (MTC) operates CI Willacy County through a contract with the federal Bureau of Prisons.
MTC Job Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- At least 18 years of age
- Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record
Requirements for CO Jobs Near Corpus Christi with Corrections Corporation of America (CCA)
CCA Facilities near Corpus Christi
Willacy County State Jail – with a maximum capacity of 1,069 inmates, CCA operates this facility located in Raymondville through a contract with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
CCA Job Requirements
- Valid driver’s license
- High school diploma or GED
- At least 18 years of age
- Availability to work any hours
Correctional Officer Training
Each agency has its own specific training requirements, however because of the nature of this profession these share many commonalities:
- Self-defense and emergency situation control
- Emergency evacuation procedures
- First aid and CPR
- Prisoner and cell search procedures
- Improvised weapons
- Prison psychology
Dallas, Texas Corrections Officer Job Description
The Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area is a major hub for federal and state detention facilities. The federal facilities include:
- Big Spring Federal Correctional Institution—Houses low and minimum security male offenders
- Fort Worth Federal Correctional Institution—Low security facility for male prisoners
- Seagoville Federal Correctional Institution—Houses low and minimum security male prisoners
- Texarkana Federal Correctional Institution—Has low and minimum security facilities for male prisoners
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice operates several prisons and jails in the Dallas area including:
- Dawson State Jail
- Hutchins State Jail
- Dallas County Jail
- Decker Jail
- Sterrett North Tower Jail
Requirements and Training for Correctional Officers in Dallas, Texas
Federal Correctional Officers
The Federal Bureau of Prisons allows new correctional officers to join the bureau at the GS-5 or GS-6 level, with a cap on promotions at the GS-7 pay grade. The salary ranges for these pay grades are
- GS-5: $31,315-$40,706
- GS-6: $34,907-$45,376
- GS-7: $38,790-$50,431
Candidates with only a bachelor’s degree must enter at the GS-5 level, while those with at least nine semester hours of graduate courses or at least one year of professional experience in corrections, mental health treatment, or criminal justice may enter at the GS-6 level. In some cases internships or volunteer work may satisfy professional experience requirements.
The training for a federal correctional officer includes enrollment in Introduction to Correctional Techniques Phase I & II. This requires a three-week stay at the Staff Training Academy in Glynco, GA. Depending upon the final job posting, officers will be required to obtain between 16 and 40 hours of training each following year.
State Correctional Officers
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice requires that applicants meet the following criteria
- U.S. citizenship or alien with a work permit
- At least 18 years of age
- Possession of a high school diploma or GED
- No felony, drug, or domestic violence convictions
- No dishonorable military discharges
- Ability to own and use a firearm
- Ability to pass a physical agility test
Training includes courses on the following topics
- Defensive tactics
- Firearms
- Close quarter combat
- First responder training
Supervisors, sergeants, lieutenants also receive between 20 and 87 hours of training upon promotion.
What to Expect from the Dallas County Prison System
Dallas County incarcerated 6,102 individuals in its jails during 2011, with 4,328 awaiting trial. Of all Dallas County residents, 17,228 were sentenced to state jail or prison, while 285 were sentenced to county jail. Dallas County Jail is the seventh largest in the nation.
In recent years, Dallas County jails have come under fire for poor medical care, mental health treatment, sanitation and facility conditions. This led to a lawsuit that resulted in a court injunction requiring monitoring of conditions at the jails. In 2012, this injunction was lifted after significant improvements had been made. This jail now provides medical care for 6,000 inmates a year including HIV management, dental care and dialysis. The deaths at Dallas County Jail have dropped 45 percent.
El Paso, Texas Corrections Officer Job Description
El Paso is home to the La Tuna Federal Correctional Institution, which houses low and minimum security male prisoners. Also in the El Paso region are state facilities including Sanchez State Jail, and El Paso County Jail. There were 2,362 offenders detained in El Paso County during 2011, with 1,215 of these in pretrial detention. Only 159 misdemeanor offenders were incarcerated in county facilities, while 2,208 felony offenders from El Paso County were incarcerated. Among El Paso felons, 89 were serving their sentences in state jails, while 2,088 were incarcerated in state prisons.
How to Become a Correctional Officer in El Paso, Texas
Federal Bureau of Prisons
The BOP hires only college graduates, although it does permit candidates with at least nine semester hours of graduate study to enter at an elevated salary level. College graduates may join the bureau at the GS-5 pay grade, which offers an annual salary ranging from $31,315 up to $40,706. Candidates who have some graduate school work or at least one year of experience in corrections, law enforcement or clinical mental health counseling may join at the GS-6 pay grade which proves annual salaries from $34,907 to $45,376. All federal correctional officers may attain a final pay grade of GS-7, which provides salaries from $38,790 to $50,431.
Candidates must be between 20 and 37 years of age and U.S. citizens. Training includes a three-week program held at the Staff Training Academy in Glynco, GA. In subsequent years, correctional officers must receive from 16 to 40 hours of training per year.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
To serve with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, candidates must possess the following qualifications:
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be a U.S. citizen or have a work permit
- No felony, domestic violence or drug convictions
The TDCJ requires that new officers complete a five-week training program at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Training Academy. Courses include:
- Firearms training
- Defensive tactics
- First aid/CPR
- Physical training
- Crisis intervention
El Paso’s Prison Population
The La Tuna Federal Correctional Institution held 1,158 inmates in 2013. The El Paso County Jail has an average daily population of 2,142, with a capacity of 2,440. Of this number 2,011 were male, while 258 were female. The Sanchez State Jail had a total of 1,100 inmates supervised by 304 staff members.
According to the Texas Tribune, in 2013, criminal convictions that resulted in less than five year sentences numbered 1,928, while those between five and ten years totaled 1,786. Sentences from 10 to 20 years were handed out to 1,291 El Paso residents, and 854 inmates were incarcerated for periods between 20 and 40 years. A total of 586 residents are serving sentences longer than 40 years. Of the total El Paso inmate population, 11.9 percent or 768 inmates were white, 9.4 percent or 603 inmates were black, and 78.2 percent or 5,043 inmates were Latino.
Houston, Texas Corrections Officer Job Description
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects that the number of correctional officer jobs nationwide will grow by an average of five percent between 2010 and 2020. In the Southern Texas region, however, the Texas Workforce Commission predicts that job growth for correctional officers should reach 18.6 percent for this same ten-year period.
Downtown Houston is the location of the Houston Federal Detention Center, which houses male and female holdover and pretrial inmates. Almost 100 miles northeast of Houston is the Federal Prison Camp at Bryan, which holds female inmates. Houston is also home to several state prisons and jails including:
- Kegans State Jail
- Hightower Unit
- Darrington Unit
- Harris County Jail
- Bakers Street Jail
- Lychner State Jail
Steps to Become a Correctional Officer in Houston
Education – The Federal Bureau of Prisons requires that correctional officers possess at least a bachelor’s degree. Candidates who have at least nine semester hours of graduate course work may join the agency at the elevated level of GS-6. Professionals who have served for at least one year in corrections, law enforcement or mental health treatment may also enter at the GS-6 pay grade when becoming a correctional officer in Houston.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice requires that correctional officer candidates have a high school diploma or GED. Applicants must be U.S. citizens with proper documentation, and be free of any serious criminal history.
Training – The TDCJ requires new officers to complete a five-week training program that consists of 200 hours instruction in the following topics:
- Firearms
- CPR/First aid
- Physical training
- Use of force
- Crisis intervention
The Federal Bureau of Prisons requires new officers to attend a three-week training program at the Staff Training Academy in Glynco, GA. Officers must also obtain between 16 and 40 hours of ongoing training annually throughout their careers.
The State of Houston’s Prison System
In the latest report of the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the Houston Federal Detention Center held 1,007 inmates. In 2011, Harris County Jail housed 8,630 inmates, of which 5,033 were held in pretrial detention. Misdemeanor jail inmates totaled 1,269, while felony offenders from Harris County totaled 27,827. Of felony inmates 2,688 were sentenced to jail, while the remaining 24,825 were incarcerated in state prisons.
In a report by the Pew Charitable Trust, Harris County is one of the few counties in the country with a rising population of jail and prison inmates. The inmate population rose 46 percent from 1999 to 2009, making Harris County third in U.S. counties with growing offender populations, behind only Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. This has also contributed to a growing budget; from1999 to 2009, Harris County’s jail and prison budgets grew 34 percent.
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice, which employs state correctional officers, provides salaries that range from $27,828 up to $37,032. In some cases, there is also a $3,000 signing bonus for correctional officers assigned to select units. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons also employs correctional officers from the GS-5 up to the GS-7 pay grades, which translates into an annual salary range between $35,306 to $56,859 (this includes locality pay for the Houston area).
Lubbock, Texas Corrections Officer Job Description
With four federal, state, and private agencies operating over a dozen prisons in the Lubbock area, prospective correctional officers have no shortage of employment choices. Although each employing agency has its own hiring requirements and training programs, common among all these is the goal of preparing the most competent and qualified correctional officer.
Candidates researching what it takes to become a correctional officer in Lubbock can begin with basic agency requirements.
Requirements for CO Jobs Near Lubbock with the Federal Bureau of Prisons
Federal Bureau of Prison facilities Near Lubbock
- Big Spring FCI – 1,746 inmates in a low security prison and minimum security satellite work camp
Federal Bureau of Prisons Job Requirements
Requirements for correctional officer jobs with the BOP are quite stringent. Applicants need to have a bachelor’s degree in any major; however, particularly relevant to this line of work are:
- Criminal Justice
- Law Enforcement
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Law
Experienced applicants without a degree have the option to qualify by proving three years of full-time work experience in a corrections-related field.
Requirements for CO Jobs Near Lubbock with the GEO Group
GEO Group Facilities Near Lubbock
In the Lubbock area the GEO Group manages three correctional facilities by contract with the federal Bureau of Prisons:
- Big Spring CI – 3,456 federal offenders, located in Big Spring
- CI Reeves I and II – 2,361 federal offenders, located in Pecos
- CI Reeves III – 1,338 federal offenders, located in Pecos
GEO Group Job Requirements
Preferred:
- Prior work experience in the field of corrections
- College-level studies in fields related to:
- Behavioral Sciences
- Correctional Services
- Cultural Studies
Required:
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Must be reliable and able to work in stressful conditions
Requirements for CO Jobs Near Lubbock with the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice
Texas Department of Criminal Justice Facilities Near Lubbock
- Tulia Transfer Facility – Houses up to 606 male inmates, located in Tulia
- Neal Unit – Houses up to 1,732 male inmates, located in Amarillo
- Clements Unit – Houses up to 3,798 male inmates, located in Amarillo
- Formby State Jail – Houses up to 1,100 male inmates, located in Plainview
- Wheeler State Jail – Houses up to 576 male inmates, located in Plainview
- Montford Unit – Houses up to 1,044 male inmates as part of its medical and psychological facilities, located in Lubbock and part of the Western Regional Medical Facility
- Rudd Transfer Facility – Houses up to 612 male inmates, located in Brownfield
- Smith Unit – Houses up to 2,234 male inmates, located in Lamesa
- Daniel Unit – Houses up to 1,384 male inmates, located in Snyder
Texas Department of Criminal Justice Job Requirements
- High school diploma or GED
- US citizenship
- No convictions for domestic violence, felony, or drug offenses
Requirements for CO Jobs Near Lubbock with the Management and Training Corporation (MTC)
Management and Training Corporation Facilities Near Lubbock
- CI Giles W. Dalby – 1,915 inmates are housed in this correctional institution located in Post, through a contract with the Bureau of Prisons
- West Texas ISF – Up to 275 male offenders are held here, managed through a contract with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, located in Brownfield
Management and Training Corporation Job Requirements
- At least 18 years old
- High school diploma or GED
- Driver’s license and acceptable driving record
Correctional Officer Training in Lubbock
Each agency provides its own correctional officer training program. All share the common goal of preparing their newly hired employees for a fulfilling career that contributes to the criminal justice system. Training programs span the course of at least several weeks and include detailed instruction in:
- Prison management and direction
- Inmate search and restraint
- Concealed and improvised weapons
- Prison psychology
- Report writing
- First aid and CPR
- Lockdown and hostage situations
- Emergency and natural disaster evacuation procedures
San Antonio, Texas Corrections Officer Job Description
With the second largest population in Texas, San Antonio is home to several federal, state and local detention facilities. The Three Rivers Federal Correctional Institution is 80 miles south of San Antonio and houses minimum security male offenders. Other detention facilities include
- Bexar County Jail
- Krier Correctional Center
- Central Texas Detention Facility
- Dominguez State Jail
How to Become a Correctional Officer in San Antonio, Texas
Federal – In order to be eligible for correctional officer jobs at the federal facility in San Antonio, candidates applying for a GS- 5 position must possess a bachelor’s degree. Candidates who have at least nine semester hours in graduate studies or at least one year in corrections, law enforcement, or mental health care may enter the Bureau of Prisons at the GS-6 level.
Candidates must be U.S. citizens and between the ages of 20 and 37. The salary ranges for federal correctional officers are as follows
- GS-5: $31,315-$40,706
- GS-6: $34,907-$45,376
- GS-7: $38,790-$50,431
State – The Texas Department of Criminal Justice hires only candidates who have completed high school or possess a GED. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or have work permits in order to become correctional officers in San Antonio. Individuals with felony, drug or domestic violence convictions are barred from this position. There are five tiers of correctional officers in the TDCJ
- Correctional Officer I – $27,828
- Correctional Officer II – $29,448
- Correctional Officer III – $31,176
- Correctional Officer IV – $33,900
- Correctional Officer V – $37,032
Select jobs with specific units in the TDCJ offer a $3,000 recruiting bonus.
New officers in the TDCJ must attend a five week, 200 hour training program at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Training Academy. Courses will include
- Defensive tactics
- Field officer training
- First responder training
- Firearms
- Close quarters combat
New federal corrections officers must complete Introduction to Correctional Techniques Phase I & II, which are offered through the Staff Training Academy in Glynco, GA. This three-week course must be supplemented by 16 to 40 hours of additional training in following years.
Bexar County’s Influential Corrections System
Bexar County’s jail diversion program is upheld as a model for other Texas and U.S. counties. These programs identify individuals with mental illness prior to and following booking, diverting them to treatment programs rather than litigating them through the expensive judicial and corrections system. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice estimates that it costs $7.75 to treat a mentally ill person per day, while it costs $44.00 per day to confine them to a jail or prison.
In 2011, Bexar County housed 3,777 inmates in its jails, with 2,165 of them awaiting trial. There were 9,961 Bexar County residents sentenced to serve in state prisons, while 394 were sentenced to the Bexar County Jail.
The inmate population in Bexar County has declined by almost 1,000 prisoners in recent years, but there has not been a commensurate drop in budget. The jails are understaffed in the county, so many guards are asked to work overtime at time and a half. In January 2009, there were 932 correctional officers in the county supervising almost 4,600 inmates.