ABSTRACT

Introduction Many of you reading this text might be interested in a career in a correctional institution. Employment in this field can be challenging but also rewarding and carries with it a great deal of responsibility. You will likely have authority over most details of a prisoner’s life, often in high-stress situations. Therefore, most jurisdictions have certain requirements in place to ensure that they hire the most professional staff possible. This chapter highlights the challenges facing correctional administrators in managing correctional personnel. It also introduces many of the common requirements for employment and many of the challenges inherent to the corrections profession. Finally, it discusses the role of various treatment professionals working within the correctional setting.