Correctional Services Worker

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: Classification Officers, Correctional Institutions (4155.2) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Probation and Parole Officers and Related Occupations (E025) 
• 2011 NOC: Probation and parole officers and related occupations (4155) 
• 2016 NOC: Probation and parole officers and related occupations (4155) 

Correctional services workers work in correctional or young offenders centres. They:

• Assess offenders
• Develop case plans
• Provide group and one-on-one counselling
• Orient offenders when they arrive
• Prepare offenders for release into the community
• Provide feedback on policies
• Write reports
• Do other administrative tasks

Correctional services workers who work inside a residential correctional facility or young offender centre manage the behaviour of the offenders assigned to them. They also monitor their security.

Youth justice workers work in young offender centres or open custody group homes. They work with young people who have been charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act and are in custody or temporary detention. In general, youth justice workers:

• Ensure security
• Supervise daily routines
• Assess young offenders
• Develop, implement, and monitor case plans
• Provide leisure activities
• Conduct group meetings
• Provide one-on-one counselling
• Talk to probation officers, parents, guardians, and others to plan for the release of the young person into the community
• Prepare custody progress reports for court reviews of custody sentences

Living unit officers work in residential correctional facilities. They work with adult offenders. They have a variety of security and casework duties. They may:

• Do security checks of the unit
• Orient new offenders to the unit
• Provide one-on-one and group counselling
• Provide referrals
• Help with pre-release and release planning
• Maintain records of offenders’ behaviour
• Escort offenders

Correctional centre caseworkers usually:

• Check offenders’ backgrounds and suggest training and program plans
• Compile and document details about offenders’ lives, education, work, and criminal records
• Develop treatment plans
• Advise offenders about their rights of appeal
• Arrange offender access to suitable resources
• Stay in contact with the institutional and community resources and government agencies that care for and rehabilitate offenders after release

Work hours and settings vary widely depending on the role. For example, correctional services workers who escort offenders on day parole may take them to visit parents in hospital. Institutional staff work shifts.

Physical requirements also vary. Correctional services workers may sometimes need to restrain offenders. They must be ready to respond if a dangerous situation arises. This may happen during security checks or when orienting new offenders.

Correctional services workers need:

• Maturity and good judgment
• Interpersonal skills
• Communication skills
• The ability to cope with stressful, risky, and unexpected situations

They should enjoy:

• Supervising others
• Helping people
• Assessing levels of offender risk and recommending interventions
• Working with clearly defined rules and organized methods

Correctional services workers mainly work in:

• Correctional centres
• Young offender centres
• Open custody group homes
• Community attendance centres

They may work for:

• The federal government
• The provincial government
• Private-sector social service agencies

Experienced correctional services workers may advance to supervisory positions. If they have the qualifications, they may transfer to other areas in correctional service.

Correctional services workers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 4155: Probation and Parole Officers and Related Occupations. In Alberta, 96% of people employed in this classification work in Public Administration [pdf] industry.

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the Public Administration industry
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Correctional Service Canada website: www.csc-scc.gc.ca

Government of Alberta website, Justice and Solicitor General: www.alberta.ca/ministry-justice-solicitor-general.aspx

For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.