Question Overview: This is a broad question that can cover a lot of ground. You want to know that the candidate is honest, responsible and mature. They should be able to tell you about their education, work history and personal interests. You should also be able to get a sense of their personality, values and goals.
Sample Answer: I'm a college graduate with a degree in criminal justice. I've worked at three different facilities in the past five years. I like to read and go hiking on the weekends.
Question Overview: The candidate should be able to explain the basic duties of a correctional officer. They should be able to tell you what they do on a typical day, how they handle the inmates and what they do to maintain order in the facility.
Sample Answer: Every day is different. I might be escorting an inmate to medical or court, or I might be helping with a lockdown. I always make sure the inmates are safe and secure.
Question Overview: Correctional officers are often assigned to oversee large numbers of inmates by themselves. The best candidates are able to handle the responsibility without becoming overwhelmed or disorganized. They should be able to describe how they would handle the situation, and they should be able to tell you how they would keep track of everything that's going on.
Sample Answer: I'd make sure I was in control of the situation and knew exactly what was going on at all times. I'd make sure I knew where every inmate was at all times.
Question Overview: You want to know that the candidate will treat the inmates with respect and humanity. This is not a job for someone who wants to be a disciplinarian or who wants to exert power over others. The best correctional officers are those who are motivated by a desire to rehabilitate and help the inmates.
Sample Answer: I treat everyone with respect. I'm there to help everyone complete their time and get out of there in one piece and, hopefully, as a better person for the experience.
Question Overview: You want to know how the candidate would react in a crisis situation. You want to know that they can think on their feet and make the right decision in a moment of high stress. You want to know that they are not prone to panic or rash action.
Sample Answer: I would follow protocol and call for backup if necessary. I would try to de-escalate the situation if possible.
Question Overview: The best correctional officers are not only aware of the rules and regulations of the facility, they are also aware of the rules and regulations of their profession. They know that bringing drugs into a correctional facility is a serious offense and would not hesitate to report it to the appropriate authorities.
Sample Answer: I'd turn them in. It's not worth losing my job over.
Question Overview: This is a simple question that can reveal a lot about the candidate. You want to know that they are not just looking for a job, but that they are passionate about the work they will be doing.
Sample Answer: I want to help people who are in trouble. I want to make sure they get back on the right track.
Question Overview: You want to know that the candidate will not hesitate to intervene in a situation that is dangerous or out of control. The candidate should be able to explain how they would assess the situation and determine whether they should intervene.
Sample Answer: I would try to get everyone out of the pod first, then I'd try to get the inmates apart. If that didn't work, I'd have no choice but to get involved.
Question Overview: This is a difficult question to answer, but it's important that you know how the candidate would respond. You want to hear that they would only use deadly force if they had no other choice, and that they would be able to live with themselves if they had to take a life.
Sample Answer: I would only use deadly force if I had no other choice. I would have to live with myself if I didn't.
Question Overview: You want to hire someone who is excited about the opportunity to work for your team. The candidate should be enthusiastic about the work and the mission of the facility.
Sample Answer: I've heard good things about your facility, and I'm really excited to work for you.
Question Overview: The best correctional officers are passionate about the work they do. They are not just in it for the money or the benefits. They want to help people and make a difference in their community.
Sample Answer: I want to help people who have made mistakes and give them a second chance. I want to make a difference in my community.
Question Overview: The safety of the correctional officer is paramount. The best candidates will have thought about this question and will have a plan for ensuring their own safety at all times.
Sample Answer: I'd always be aware of my surroundings and avoid dangerous situations. When I can't avoid them, I'd have a plan for how to handle them.
Question Overview: The best correctional officers are not only physically capable of handling a violent inmate but mentally prepared to do so. You want to know that the candidate is capable of making the right call in a tense situation.
Sample Answer: I would only use force if it was absolutely necessary. I would try to talk the inmate down first. If that didn't work, I'd ask for backup and wait for them to arrive.
Question Overview: This is a question about ethics. You want to know that the candidate has a strong moral compass and is not likely to be tempted by the power and money that can come with working in a prison.
Sample Answer: I would never take a bribe from an inmate. I would report it to my superiors immediately.
Question Overview: The job of a correctional officer is to protect the public and the inmates in their care. If an inmate is threatening the safety of the staff or other inmates, the officer must be willing to use deadly force to stop the threat. The best candidates will have no hesitation in making this decision and will be able to explain why.
Sample Answer: If I had to shoot someone, it would be because they were threatening the lives of others. I'd do it without hesitation.
Question Overview: The best correctional officers are able to work with everyone on the team. They can get along with their peers and supervisors and are not prone to interpersonal conflict. The best answer will tell you that the candidate has a history of working well with others and is able to resolve conflicts without escalating them.
Sample Answer: I had a co-worker who was always late and didn't do their share of the work. I talked to them about it and we worked out a schedule that worked for both of us.
Question Overview: This is a great question to ask candidates who have been in the field for a while. It can reveal a lot about their experience and how they've grown as professionals. The best answers will demonstrate that the candidate has learned from their mistakes and has grown from the experience.
Sample Answer: I was working with a new partner who was a little too aggressive for my liking. I learned that it's important to communicate with your partner and let them know what you're comfortable with and what you're not.
Question Overview: The best correctional officers are not only honest but have a strong sense of integrity. They are not afraid to report their co-workers if they see them doing something illegal or unethical. They also understand that the job is not just about following the rules, but also about protecting the inmates and the facility.
Sample Answer: I would never want to see anyone get hurt, so I would definitely report it.
Question Overview: The best correctional officers are those who have a genuine desire to help people. They are not there to punish inmates or to have power over them, but to rehabilitate them and facilitate their return to society. A good answer will show that the candidate is motivated by a desire to help others.
Sample Answer: I want to be a corrections officer because I want to help people. I want to see them get out of there in one piece and, hopefully, as a better person for the experience.
Question Overview: You want to hire someone who will report any inappropriate behavior to their superiors. The best correctional officers are honest and trustworthy, and they will not hesitate to report a colleague who is breaking the rules.
Sample Answer: I would report it to my supervisor immediately.