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When someone makes a mistake, he has to pay the price. Justice should be served and that person has to give time in a corrections facility to allow himself to make amends of the errors of his life. This way, the erred person will be taught to do not do more harm to others. And someone has to be there to see to it that he follows the procedure. That someone has to do the job of being there for these people that are imprisoned. He is called the New Jersey Corrections Officer.
A New Jersey Corrections Officer is an officer responsible in ensuring that the inmates of a correctional facility are in proper custody, safe and cared for.
A Corrections Officer in New Jersey or in any state for that matter works in a state correctional facility for eight hours a day and on a rotating shifts that may include working on holidays and weekends. He can be called in emergency situations. A uniform is required to be worn by all the corrections officer and he may be inspected before and after working hours especially in large facilities.
This job entails a lot of pressure and demands that the NJ Corrections Officer be alert at all times. It is more stressful even in emergency situations that may place the officers in personal danger. Quick thinking and acting according to the regulations is essential in protecting himself, the inmates and the other officers. Being physically fit is also vital in being a corrections officer to be able to withstand the demands of a corrections facility.
In New Jersey, to become a Corrections Officer, the minimum age is 18 years old. The minimum educational requirement to land this position is a high school diploma or its equivalent. It is also important that the interested individual must be able to read and write the English language. A driver’s license and firearms license are also required.
Although the educational requirement may be deemed as minimal, a set of tests are given to determine the eligibility of the person to become a New Jersey Correction Officer. These tests may include background check using fingerprints, history of domestic violence, medical and written psychological examination and drug screening through urinalysis. Field checking is also conducted wherein personal interviews are made and visits to the home and current work addresses.
The outlook for this position is good as the number of prisoners is increasing and the facilities are expected to make expansions. For a corrections officer to progress in this position, experience and added education is the key. Gaining a college degree in criminal courses can be more advantageous as more career opportunities for higher position are opened. The position of senior correction officer in New Jersey Department of Corrections has various opportunities to be assigned in a special unit such as the K-9 unit, Special Operations or Ceremonial Teams among others.
Tell us about your experience as a NJ Corrections Officer . How much you earned, who your employer was, how much education was required or anything that pertains to this career. Help others who are trying to enter into this field. All information is kept anonymous.