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Corrections Officer

Āpiha Whare Herehere

Corrections officers are responsible for keeping prisoners safe and secure and motivating them to make changes in their lives.

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Secondary education

There are no specific secondary education requirements to become a corrections officer. However, languages, social studies and te reo Māori are useful.

Study fields

Study levels

  • Up to NCEA Level 3

Useful experience

Useful experience for corrections officers includes:

  • work as a probation officer
  • community work
  • social work
  • coaching experience.

What you will do

Corrections officers may do some or all of the following:

  • supervise prisoners' daily routine, which includes meal, work and recreation times
  • monitor, assess and manage the behaviour and safety of prisoners
  • patrol prison buildings and grounds
  • ensure the physical and mental safety of prisoners
  • monitor prison visits and record visitors' details
  • motivate prisoners to make changes to their behaviour
  • help control and lessen conflict in the prison
  • take part in rehabilitation programmes
  • prepare reports relating to prisoners and any incidents that occur
  • escort prisoners to court hearings, funerals or appointments with dentists or doctors.

Skills and knowledge

Corrections officers need to have knowledge of:

  • prison policy, procedures, rules and routines
  • control and restraint techniques
  • first aid and safety procedures.
Pay

Corrections officers usually earn

$67K-$80K

per year

Senior and principal corrections officers usually earn

$80K-$100K

per year

Job opportunities
Good
Chances of getting a job as a corrections officer are good due to a shortage of workers.
Length of training
1
year of training required.

Industry

Public Order and Safety

Corrections officers are responsible for keeping prisoners safe and secure and motivating them to make changes in their lives.

Similar jobs in this industry

Entry requirements

To become a corrections officer you need:

  • a current, full driver licence, or to be able to obtain this before you finish training
  • a clean criminal conviction record
  • the right to work in New Zealand, or to meet the Immigration NZ criteria for an Accredited Employer Work Visa.

You must also pass:

  • medical, psychological and physical fitness tests
  • drug tests.

The Department of Corrections provides training for new corrections officers, which includes workplace and classroom learning. Initial training takes 10 weeks. Full corrections officer training takes 12 months.

The Vulnerable Children Act 2014 means that if you have certain serious convictions, you can’t be employed in a role where you are responsible for, or work alone with, children.

Chances of getting a job

Strong demand for corrections officers

There is strong demand for corrections officers due to not enough people entering the role.

Corrections Officers are on Immigration New Zealand's Green List. This means the Government is actively encouraging these skilled workers from overseas to work in New Zealand.

According to the Census, 4,218 correction officers worked in New Zealand in 2018.

Most corrections officers employed by Department of Corrections

Most corrections officers are employed by the Department of Corrections. 

Serco New Zealand employs corrections officers for the Kohuora Auckland South Corrections Facility.

Find out more about training

Department of Corrections
careers@corrections.govt.nz - careers.corrections.govt.nz

Progression and specialisations

Corrections officers may progress to work as senior corrections officers, principal corrections officers and unit managers.

Corrections officers may also move into jobs in management or policy at Department of Corrections or Ministry of Justice.

Working conditions

Corrections officers:

  • work shifts, including public holidays, weekends and nights
  • work in prisons and courts. They also supervise prisoners in work groups on prison grounds or off-site
  • work in conditions that can be demanding and stressful as they may be at risk of verbal and physical abuse.

Physical Requirements

Corrections officers need to be fit, healthy and strong as they spend a lot of time on their feet and the job can be physically demanding. They also need to have good hearing and vision.

Useful personal qualities

Corrections officers need to be:

  • good at communicating with a range of people, including prisoners and their families and friends
  • dependable and honest
  • mature, non-judgemental and fair in their dealings with prisoners
  • observant, alert and accurate
  • able to follow orders 
  • able to work well under pressure 
  • able to remain positive in difficult situations
  • assertive and able to use their initiative
  • interested in helping others.

Industry

Public Order and Safety

Corrections officers are responsible for keeping prisoners safe and secure and motivating them to make changes in their lives.

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