Correctional Peace Officer
Correctional peace officers ensure the safe care, custody, control, and rehabilitation of incarcerated offenders, as well as the safe reintegration of offenders back into the community.
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Avg. Salary $75,595.00
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Avg. Wage $36.55
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Minimum Education High school diploma
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Outlook below avg
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Employed 3,100
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In Demand Medium
Also Known As
Correctional Officer, Law Enforcement Officer, Officer
NOC Codes
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
- 2006 NOC: Correctional Service Officers (6462)
- 2006 NOC-S: Correctional Service Officers (G622)
- 2011 NOC: Correctional service officers (4422)
- 2016 NOC: Correctional service officers (4422)
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
N/A
Average Wage
Starting
Overall
Top
Average Wage
| Starting | $30.65 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $36.55 |
| Top | $38.33 |
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Certification Not Regulated
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Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg
Interest Codes
The Correctional Peace Officer is part of the following larger National Occupational Classification (NOC).
Correctional Service Officers
- METHODICAL
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Interest in copying to prepare admission, program, release, transfer and other reports
- DIRECTIVE
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Interest in supervising prisoners during work assignments, meals and recreation periods, and in patrolling assigned areas and reporting any problems to supervisors; may supervise and co-ordinate work of other correctional service officers
- social
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Interest in escorting prisoners in transit and during temporary leaves
Reading Interest Codes
A Quick Guide
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Duties
Updated Mar 31, 2019
Correctional peace officers provide safety and security for offenders who:
- Have been charged and remanded to custody
- Are awaiting trial
- Have been sentenced to provincial correctional facilities (sentences of 2 years less a day) or federal penitentiaries (sentences of 2 years or more)
- Have been found in violation of release conditions and placed back into custody
Correctional peace officers’ duties vary depending on the security level of the correctional institution and the programs offered. In general, correctional peace officers:
- Ensure security in minimum-security, medium-security, maximum-security and multi-level institutions
- Act as primary responders to emergencies, such as medical emergencies, fire or escape attempts
- Act as positive role models for offenders
- Observe inmate behaviour through dynamic and static security, such as personal interaction and electronic monitoring
- Foster positive relationships with inmates to assist with intelligence gathering, prevent disturbances and escapes and maintain a safe environment
- Maintain control by enforcing laws, regulations, policies and rules
- Prepare reports such as observational, disciplinary, search and seizure, evidence handling and inmate case reports
- Maintain accurate and complete records
- Conduct formal and informal counts and hourly patrols to ensure the inmates’ well-being
- Conduct security searches of inmates, cells, vehicles, buildings, inmate visitors or staff members
- Work as part of an inmate case management team, when working as a parole officer, educational instructor or Aboriginal liaison officer
They may also:
- Drive inmates to other institutions, courtrooms, hospitals and worksites
- Help manage cases
- Write reports for the national parole board
Working Conditions
Updated Mar 31, 2019
Correctional peace officers work both indoors and outdoors. They are on their feet most of the time. They work shifts, including night shifts.
The work can be stressful and hazardous. Correctional officers must always be on the alert for drugs, weapons, other banned items, inmates breaking rules, volatile behaviour, and outbreaks of violence. At federal medium- and maximum-security institutions and on escorts, they are required to carry firearms. Applicants must be comfortable knowing they may have to lawfully take a life during their career.
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Strength Required Lift up to 20 kg
Skills & Abilities
Updated Mar 31, 2019
Correctional peace officers need:
- An impartial nature
- Responsibility and maturity
- A positive attitude
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Writing skills
- Leadership abilities
- The ability to remain calm in high-stress situations
- The ability to restrain offenders as required
- An understanding that their role is rehabilitative, not punitive
They should enjoy:
- Having clear rules and guidelines, while being comfortable making on-the-spot decisions
- Working with a team
- Dealing with people
- Supervising others
Educational Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2019
For roles in the federal or provincial government, correctional peace officers must:
- Have a valid driver’s licence
- Pass a medical exam
- Pass the Correctional Officer Physical Ability Test (COPAT) / PAR (provincial only)
- Obtain security clearances, including fingerprinting
- Pass aptitude and psychological exams
- Successfully complete approximately 12 weeks of correctional officer basic training
To work for the federal government, officers also need CPR, AED (automated external defibrillator) and first aid certifications.
Correctional peace officers with the federal government should have at least a high school diploma plus 2 years of relevant work experience dealing with people. Applicants with less education may succeed if they have 2 or more years of previous corrections experience or similar, know Indigenous culture and languages or have equivalent experience and knowledge. Being multilingual and having a multicultural background is a strong asset.
Employers prefer post-secondary education in a related area. Examples are correctional services, criminal justice, police studies, sociology, psychology, or criminology. Volunteer experience with people in crisis is a definite asset, especially for provincial positions where correctional peace officers are often hired as casual employees.
Interviewers assess applicants’ abilities and skills and whether they are personally suitable. If hired beyond a casual position, they are invited to attend correctional officer basic training. Federally, those who qualify are invited to attend the Correctional Service Canada Correctional Training Program (CTP).
Related Education
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
Athabasca University
Grant MacEwan University
Hope College
Lethbridge College
Medicine Hat College
Mount Royal University
NorQuest College
Red Deer College
Simon Fraser University
University of Alberta
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
Certification Requirements
Updated Mar 31, 2019
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
Employment & Advancement
Updated Mar 31, 2019
In Alberta, federal correctional peace officers work in penitentiaries located in Bowden, Drumheller, Grande Cache, and Edmonton. Provincial correctional peace officers work in institutions in Calgary, Edmonton, Fort Saskatchewan, Grande Prairie, Lethbridge, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, and Peace River.
Some correctional peace officers work with young offenders in young offender institutions. Others work with female offenders at specific provincial centres or women’s federal institutions. Still others may work at regional psychiatric centres, minimum-security institutions, Aboriginal healing lodges, or work camps.
Moving up to supervisory or other positions depends on education, experience, personal suitability, and training.
Wage & Salary
Updated Mar 31, 2019
Hourly Wage
For full-time and part-time employees
- Low
- High
- Average
- Median
Starting
Overall
Top
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $29.69 | $31.56 | $30.65 | $29.79 |
| Overall | $29.69 | $39.49 | $36.55 | $37.26 |
| Top | $37.39 | $39.62 | $38.33 | $37.39 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
B: Good Reliability
Data Reliability Code Definition
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
Industry Information
| Public Administration | $75,595 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $75,595 |
Skills Shortage
Employers that Recruited in the Last 2 Years
N/A
Recruiting Employers that Experienced Hiring Difficulties
N/A
Employers with Unfilled Vacancies of over 4 Months
N/A
Vacancy Rate
N/A
Other Sources of Information
Updated Mar 31, 2019
Correctional Service Canada website: www.csc-scc.gc.ca
Government of Alberta website, Justice and Solicitor General: www.alberta.ca/ministry-justice-solicitor-general
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Mar 31, 2019. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.
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