What does a Prison Guard do?
A Prison Guard, also known as a Correctional Officer, is responsible for maintaining safety and security within the prison facility. They monitor prisoners’ behavior, conduct searches, and enforce rules and regulations. They also oversee activities such as meals, recreation, and visitations. Prison Guards often work in challenging and potentially dangerous environments and must have a high level of physical and mental endurance. They are required to have excellent communication and problem-solving skills and must be able to maintain order and discipline among prisoners. Additionally, they may provide support to inmates who are struggling with mental health or addiction issues, and assist with rehabilitation programs.
Our Prison Guard job description includes the Prison Guard responsibilities, duties, skills, education, qualifications, and experience.
Prison Guard Example
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If you need an example job description for a Prison Guard download the one below, alternatively we have many other job description samples and a job description library with over 3000 job descriptions templates that you can download for free.
What does a Prison Guard do?
Prison Guard Job Summary
A Prison Guard is responsible for the security, safety and well-being of inmates within a prison or correctional facility. They oversee the daily activities of inmates, monitor their behaviour, and enforce rules and regulations. Prison Guards also provide support and assistance to inmates and help to ensure their compliance with prison policies. In addition, they provide guidance and mentorship to inmates, and may be required to provide security during court appearances or transfers. Prison Guards must remain vigilant and maintain a professional attitude at all times.
Prison Guard Role Purpose
The purpose of a Prison Guard in the United Kingdom is to ensure the security of those in custody and to maintain the safety and good order of a prison establishment. This includes supervising prisoners during their activities, searching cells and areas for contraband, monitoring the behaviour of inmates and responding to any emergency situations that may arise. In addition to these duties, Prison Guards are also responsible for providing support to prisoners, including helping them to access educational and vocational opportunities, as well as providing advice and guidance on a variety of issues.
Prison Guard Role
A Prison Guard is a professional responsible for ensuring the safety and security of a prison and its inmates, while enforcing rules and regulations. They may also be involved in providing support to inmates and supervising their activities.
Prison Guard Duties
- Provide security and ensure the safety of prisoners and staff
- Carry out regular patrols of the prison
- Carry out searches of prisoners, cells and other areas
- Ensure prisoners follow prison rules
- Monitor prisoners’ activities and record any incidents
- Respond to emergency situations
- Help prisoners to access health care and other services
- Assist in the rehabilitation and resettlement of prisoners
- Support prisoners during court appearances
- Carry out administrative duties
Prison Guard Requirements
- Must have a valid security guard licence
- Ability to work in a prison environment
- Must have ability to stay calm and professional under pressure
- Ability to work shifts including nights and weekends
- Good communication skills
- Good physical fitness
- Ability to develop and maintain relationships with prisoners
Prison Guard Skills
- Ability to maintain security and control
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to remain calm and effective when dealing with difficult situations
Prison Guard Personal Traits
- Self-disciplined
- Strong sense of responsibility
- Good judgement
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
How to write a Prison Guard Job Advert
Use our job advert template to write a job advert for posting on job sites and job boards. Our job advertising templates are carefully created to help you reach your audience and beat the competition to the best talent.
A job description informs the reader about a job, whereas a job advert’s main objective is to sell the job opportunity to attract as many suitable applicants possible. A job advert maybe the first touch-point a candidate has with your company so it is important to create a great impression.
Job Advertisements should enticing, so considering using short, exciting language which get the reader’s attention.
How to write a Prison Guard Job Description
To write a job description, we recommend starting with a job description template from our job description library, which contains examples for 800+ positions and professions. Our job description examples include a job summary with duties and responsibilities and skills and requirements, which can be personalised for your job vacancy.
Job Description Advice - Guidance on How to Personalise a Prison Guard Job Specification
The hiring process and recruiting new employees to fill your key roles requires a degree of personalisation if you are to attract the best employees in a competitive employment market. The right person for a crucial role or more senior roles will likely have other employers targeting them. As your job description will be the first point of contact, you need to nail your pitch and provide the best possible service.
Job Description Tips - Help on formatting a Prison Guard Job Specification
When creating your bespoke description and advert, you should cover and promote these points:
Job title: This should accurately reflect the role and include keywords that top talent might be using to search for jobs.
Job duties: The day to day duties, such as administrative tasks, which vary depending on the company and inform the candidate if they can complete the role.
Technical skills: These are the hard skills required through training, such as proficiency with Microsoft Office.
Soft skills: These include the interpersonal skills and general abilities the right candidates will possess. For example, the competency to prioritise multiple tasks, handle customer queries and customer complaints, work alone, or build a good relationship with coworkers.
The company's culture: Highlighting your company culture and values ensures employees thrive and find outstanding job satisfaction. Candidates that are not the right fit won’t waste their time completing the application process, meaning you can focus on qualified individuals and hire in a more timely manner.
Career progression: Including the career path will entice candidates looking for career growth.
Training and development programs: Smaller companies may need employees with previous experience or provide educational assistance over internal training offered by larger organisations with more significant resources.
Employee benefits: Compensation and benefits often fail to appear in job ads and while you may want to hold your cards close to your chest, failing to include them is a mistake. Consider answering common questions, such as working hours and paid leave. Researching the average salary for the role in these early stages will ensure you don’t waste your interviewer’s and the candidate’s time.
Skill gaps: Your company may need to bring in new skills beyond those required to complete the key role and duties. Thinking on an organisational level can be beneficial when contemplating skills diversity.
Legal requirements: Ensure your job advert and description does not ask for inappropriate or discriminatory personal details, such as age, marital status, or religion.
How to Hire a Prison Guard
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