Prison officer as an occupation

Prison officers look after the safety of society, the prison staff, and the prisoners. They mainly focus on guarding and supervision duties and, to an increasing extent, on rehabilitation and guidance work.

Versatile job description

The job description of prison officers has become more versatile. Interaction and, subsequently, knowing the prisoners forms the basis for the security and supervision work. The maintenance of security means minimising the security threats between prisoners and against the staff, the use of intoxicating substances, and the factors causing instability. Even though communication is the most important tool of the prison officers, it is sometimes also necessary to use force. Ensuring security requires the ability to anticipate and analyse security risks. Goal-oriented and interactive work with prisoners supports the prisoners’ aim to live without crime.

The prison officers admit prisoners in prison, tell them about the practices of the prison, and advise and guide them. Supervision is continuous round-the-clock monitoring and control of prisoners. Compared with other staff groups, the prison officers interact with the prisoners most and they are the only staff members who are present round the clock. The work is demanding and it requires interpersonal skills, balance, healthy self-esteem, good interaction skills, and ability to tolerate and solve conflicts.

The prison officers inspect the prisoners and prison premises regularly in order to find, among other things, prohibited objects or substances. In addition, they supervise the meetings between the prisoners and their visitors. When necessary, the prison officers escort the prisoners outside the prison, for example, to court, hospital, or various events. Their duties also include guiding the authorities and visitors entering the prison.

Interaction skills and adaptability important for prison officers

In their work, the prison officers utilise their interaction skills, their familiarity with the prisoners, and their own personality. They need to be able to adapt to varying circumstances and situations. High stress tolerance is needed when working in special circumstances with sentenced offenders.

The prison officers must have adequate knowledge of the causes and consequences of crime as well as mental health and substance abuse problems. Additionally, they have to be able to motivate and encourage the sentenced offenders to live without crime.

The prison officers usually work in shifts, so those who enter the sector must be prepared to work also in the evenings, at night, and during weekends. In order to carry out their duties, a driving licence is also necessary.

Qualification in prison and probation services for prison officers

The degree programme in prison and probation services qualifies as a prison officer, who can carry out supervision and guidance duties in prison. More information on the qualification is available on the web page Training as a prison officer or the website of the Training Institute for Prison and Probation Services rskk.fi.