by Terry Conrad

Created on: January 19, 2009   Last Updated: March 17, 2009

Job security in this economy is a key factor to consider when choosing a career in criminal justice. With the strain on the economy we see a rise in crime, resulting in more criminals overcrowding our jails and prison systems. These increases result in the building of new prisons, or farming out to private corporations many of those convicted and sentenced to jail or prison. With the increase in crime, and the impact of this on the prisons there is a higher demand for staff to supervise these inmates; this makes a career in corrections very secure. Did you know in most states all you need is a high school education to get started at the entry level in corrections? There are many advantages working in the criminal justice field, the biggest being job security. There are many avenues to pursue besides corrections these however, would require further education of an associates or bachelors degree. Other possibilities would be the courts, probation or parole. You can begin by applying with any community college for an associates degree, and follow this career path onto the university level for a bachelor, masters and even the doctorate level which encompasses the managerial areas of this field.. Should you decide to attend classes you will need to decide whether you want to pursue police work or corrections.This field offers diversity in job assignments, great training programs and benefit packages which includes health, dental, vision and retirement plans. What is great with this career choice are the many opportunities for job enhancement and future advancement in your career. Corrections is designed to follow the military rank system, beginning at the officer level and working its way up the chain to Major, Associate Warden and Warden so the chance for advancement is real. You can literally work your way up the ladder to those more prestigious positions. It takes a lot for a man or woman to find their way into prison because the system gives many second chances, however that does not thwart the number of inmates found in the United States today. Yes the advantages out weigh the disadvantages in this field. The downfalls would be shift and week-end work, and even though you will receive holiday pay, those holidays will not fall on the holiday in question. In most cases you will be given three day weekends when they attach your holiday with scheduled days off. Many states have the same standard for hiring because of the large number of inmates and the difficulty in finding staff to meet their hiring needs.

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