First-line supervisor of correctional officers

Pay

Getting in

Typical entry education

High school diploma or equivalent

On-the-job training

None

Prior experience

Less than 5 years

Calculate your switch to first-line supervisor of correctional officers

What the work is like

Core tasks

• Take, receive, or check periodic inmate counts.
• Maintain order, discipline, and security within assigned areas in accordance with relevant rules, regulations, policies, and laws.
• Maintain knowledge of, comply with, and enforce all institutional policies, rules, procedures, and regulations.
• Respond to emergencies, such as escapes.
• Supervise and direct the work of correctional officers to ensure the safe custody, discipline, and welfare of inmates.
• Supervise or perform searches of inmates or their quarters to locate contraband items.
• Monitor behavior of subordinates to ensure alert, courteous, and professional behavior toward inmates, parolees, fellow employees, visitors, and the public.
• Restrain, secure, or control offenders, using chemical agents, firearms, or other weapons of force as necessary.

Also called: Correctional Officer Captain · Correctional Supervisor

Outlook and AI

First-line supervisors of correctional officers held 56,300 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 54,800 by 2035 (−2%, declining; all jobs: +3.5%).

Compare with

• First-line supervisor of correctional officers vs. Correctional officers and jailers
• First-line supervisor of correctional officers vs. Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists
• First-line supervisor of correctional officers vs. First-line supervisor of security workers
• First-line supervisor of correctional officers vs. First-line supervisors of police and detectives
• First-line supervisor of correctional officers vs. Police officer
• First-line supervisor of correctional officers vs. Detectives and criminal investigators
• First-line supervisor of correctional officers vs. First-line supervisors of office and administrative support workers
• First-line supervisor of correctional officers vs. Bailiff
• First-line supervisor of correctional officers vs. First-line supervisors of entertainment and recreation workers, except gambling services