Profession prison officer

Prison guards watch over and maintain order among inmates of prisons, reformatories or penitentiaries.

Personality Type

• Enterprising / Conventional

Related professions prison

• First line supervisor prison guards
• Prison manager

Knowledge

• Legal use-of-force

  The characteristics of the use-of-force, which is a legal doctrine employed by police and army forces, to regulate acts of violence during interventions. Use-of-force is ought to balance security needs with ethical concerns for the rights and well-being of intruders or suspects.

• Law enforcement

  The different organisations involved in law enforcement, as well as the laws and regulations in law enforcement procedures.

• Correctional procedures

  Tthe legal regulations and policies concerning the operations of correctional facilities, and other correctional procedures.

• Illegal substances

  The forbidden substances which cannot be transported from one area to another, or carried by an individual, as well as their nature and how to handle them.

Skills

• Comply with the principles of self-defence

  Observe the principles according to which a person should only use so much force as is required to repel an attack. The use of deadly force is limited to situations where attackers are using deadly force themselves.

• Patrol areas

  Patrol a designated area, watch out for and respond to suspicious and dangerous situations, and communicate with emergency response organisations.

• Handle conflicts

  Mediate in conflicts and tense situations by acting between parties, such as service users, important others like families, and institutions, striving to effect an agreement, reconciliate, and resolve problems.

• Restrain individuals

  Restrain, or control by force, individuals who violate regulations in terms of acceptable behaviour, who present a threat to others, and who perform acts of violence, to ensure the individual is unable to proceed in this negative behaviour and to protect others.

• Undertake inspections

  Undertake safety inspections in areas of concern to identify and report potential hazards or security breaches; take measures to maximise safety standards.

• Identify security threats

  Identify security threats during investigations, inspections, or patrols, and perform the necessary actions to minimise or neutralise the threat.

• See to the detainees' well-being

  See to the welfare of the prisoners providing primary commodities and services such as distributing food and clothes, calling the doctor and others.

• Escort defendants

  Escort suspects and known offenders from one area to another, such as in a prison or from a cell to a courtoom, to ensure they do not escape, that they are not violent, or otherwise exceed the limits of acceptable behaviour, as well as to be able to respond to any emergencies.

• Ensure compliance with types of weapons

  Use different kinds of firearms and other types of weapons and their matching ammunition, in compliance with legal requirements.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB