Profession prison officer

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

Would you like to know what kind of career and professions suit you best? Take our free Holland code career test and find out.

Personality Type

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

show responsibility surveillance methods respond to enquiries contribute to the formulation of correctional procedures propose leisure activities handle surveillance equipment manage security clearance maintain operational communications criminology use different communication channels conduct security screenings write situation reports oversee rehabilitation process conduct frisk ensure law application maintain logbooks apply knowledge of human behaviour practice vigilance

Source: Sisyphus ODB