Correctional facilities are designed to rehabilitate offenders, and every officer on staff should be on board with that mission. The candidate should not be interested in the profession in order to punish criminal offenders or to have power or control over others. They should seek to promote and facilitate peace, tranquility and order in the facility. A personal connection to the legal justice system can also be helpful. What to look for in an answer:

• A rehabilitative philosophy of corrections
• The ability to treat everyone with humanity, dignity and respect
• A sense of honor, duty and justice

16679311988correctional officer12.84corrections3.27detention officer2.54security officer2.18criminal justice1.596455109055029.5024.3145.75HOURLY9231656472025-09-012025-09-302025-08-012025-08-312025-10-05Correctional officers protect not only the prison, its staff and the public but the individuals impacted by the legal system as well. You want to know that the applicant has experience in diffusing volatile situations. A good answer will tell you that the best way to deal with aggression is to do everything possible to prevent it from arising. Treating individuals impacted by the legal system with respect and humanity can help avert hostile behavior, and they should be able to explain how they’ve remained calm in challenging situations in the past. The ability to know when to ask for help is also essential. What to look for in an answer:

• Ability to remain calm in the face of confrontation
• Awareness of protocol and the value of sticking to it
• Willingness to seek help when needed

Sometimes, a correctional officer will have to break up an altercation or restrain and subdue a violent person. The person you hire must be capable of handling a physical altercation without harming the individual or themselves. The candidate must also convey confidence in their strength and physical ability. What to look for in an answer:

• A confident demeanor
• Physical fitness and strength
• Experience in defensive combat and diffusing conflict

Not unlike military service, work in a correctional facility is defined by routine. A correctional officer must, therefore, be punctual, disciplined and able to stick to a schedule and thrive on structure. The best correctional officers are well-suited to such conditions and are not prone to boredom or restlessness from monotony. What to look for in an answer:

• Punctuality and discipline
• The ability to thrive in a routine
• Alertness and focus

You don’t want to hire a correctional officer who will only last one or two years before quitting from burnout. The job can be stressful even under the best of conditions, and the officers on your team can’t take that tension home with them. Hearing how a candidate deals with difficulty and manages their feelings can give you confidence in that person’s staying power on your team. What to look for in an answer:

• Healthy, proactive stress-management skills
• The ability to leave work at work
• A calm and even-keeled disposition

Because 16679311988correctional officer12.84corrections3.27detention officer2.54security officer2.18criminal justice1.596455109055029.5024.3145.75HOURLY9231656472025-09-012025-09-302025-08-012025-08-312025-10-05correctional officers are in charge of overseeing individuals impacted by the legal system and regulating their behavior, it is essential for them to stay alert to warning signs of possible issues. Good correctional officers are able to identify potential conflicts before they happen by observing the actions of these individuals. This question allows the interviewer to learn about each candidate's perception abilities and knowledge of behavior patterns. Successful answers may include:

• Awareness of their surroundings
• Solution-oriented behavior
• Initiative when responding to warning signs