A prison officer is a person charged with the responsibility of the supervision of prisoners in a prison. Other terms for prison officer include Corrections Officer, Correctional Officer, Prison Guard, Detention Officer, and Prison Warder.

These officers are responsible for the care, custody, and control of individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or who have been convicted of a crime and sentenced to serve time in a prison or jail. They are also responsible for the safety and security of a correctional facility. Most prison officers are employed by the Federal or State Goverment, City, or County, though some are employed by private companies. There are approx 500,000 prison officers employed in the United States.

Duties

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The duties of a Prison Officer often include maintaining order within the institution, enforcement of the facility rules and regulations, search of inmates and their living quarters for contraband like weapons or drugs, writing reports on any inmate misbehavior and transportation of inmates. The work of a Correction Officer can be stressful and hazardous at times.

Slang terms

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Prison officers are known by many slang names, such as

• Bosses
• Chiefs
• Screws
• Hacks
• COs (Corrections Officers)
• Police
• Turn Keys
• "Guv"
• Warden
• Scooby's* i.e scobby doo = screw

See Also

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Correctional Service of Canada - Description of the Canadian Federal Correctional Officer.

Sing Sing - Sing Sing Correctional Facility Protective service occupations | Imprisonment and detention