Saskatchewan JobFutures

Nature of Work

Correctional Service Officers guard prisoners and detainees and maintain order in correctional institutions and other places of detention. They are employed by federal, provincial and municipal governments.

Nature of Work

Correctional Service Officers guard prisoners and detainees and maintain order in correctional institutions and other places of detention. They are employed by federal, provincial and municipal governments.

Duties

The work of correctional service officers involves observing the conduct and behaviour of prisoners to prevent disturbances and escapes, and patrolling assigned areas and reporting any problems to a supervisor. They also supervise prisoners during work assignments, meals and recreation periods; prepare admissions and other reports; and escort prisoners in transit and during temporary leaves. Some senior correctional service officers are responsible for supervising and co-ordinating the work of other correctional service officers.

Example Titles

• correctional facility guard
• supervisor, correctional officers
• detention attendant
• correctional service officer
• prison guard

Training Paths

Persons with a U of R degree in Social Work, Human Justice, or Sociology may have an advantage over others seeking work in this field. U of S offers a Sociology degree program through the College of Arts and Science. Preference may also be given to candidates who hold a certificate, Bachelor's or Master's degree in Indian or Aboriginal Social Work, offered through FNUniv. SIAST offers a related Correctional Studies diploma program. Prospective correctional officers are also required to undergo orientation and in-service training in the correctional institute where they will be employed. Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology (SIIT) offers a certificate and diploma program in Community Services Addictions, which may be an asset to individuals interested in a career in this field.

Trends and Outlooks

The employment prospects for this occupation are: fair

Employment numbers for full-time correctional service officers increased steadily in the first half of the decade; by 21% between 2000 and 2005, according to Statistics Canada. That amounts to nearly 200 new jobs in five years. This has lowered the average age of workers in this occupation. Still, this is relatively old work force. In 2006, 41% of all correctional service officers in the province were at least 45 years of age. Even if new job creation slows, there will be numerous employment opportunities in the next few years as older officers retire or take leave. Not surprisingly, most correctional service offices work in the public administration industry.

Correctional service officers in Saskatchewan are well paid. In 2005, the average full-time income for correctional service officers was $52,200 per year, well above the provincial full-time average for all occupations the same year ($42,300 per year). Many officers in this field earned more or less than the average income. In 2000, annual full-time incomes for correctional service officers in the province ranged from $34,000 to $69,200. Incomes in this field of work are fairly consistent throughout the province; officers in Regina and Saskatoon earned the same amount as their counterparts elsewhere in the province.

In 2006, 63% of all correctional service officers in Saskatchewan were male. Not surprisingly, employment in this field is concentrated in communities with correctional facilities, such as Prince Albert. Forty percent of all correctional services officers were employed in or around Regina and Saskatoon in 2006. Seventy-three percent of all Saskatchewan correctional service officers in 2005 were employed on a full-time basis. Self-employment is practically non-existent in this field of work. Employment for correctional service officers is neither seasonal nor very sensitive to overall economic conditions.

Professional Associations

Related Occupations

• Managers in Social, Community and Correctional Services (0314)
• Social Workers (4152)
• Detention home workers (in 4212 Community and Social Service Workers)