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If you're interested in a job in corrections, get correctional counselor training and find out about great career options. Correctional counselors, also known as case managers, correctional treatment specialists or drug treatment specialists, create rehabilitation plans for prison inmates and parolees. Correctional Counselor Job Duties Those working in rehabilitation use their correctional counselor training to evaluate the progress of inmates in jails and prisons. They normally write treatment plans and reports for each client, and also work with inmates, probation officers and other agencies to develop parole and release plans. Correctional counselors provide case reports to the parole board when their clients are eligible for release. In addition, they plan educational and training programs for offenders, and counsel them either individually or in groups on coping skills, anger management skills, and drug or sexual abuse prevention. Correctional Counselor Workplace Correctional counselors work in jails and prisons, or in parole and probation agencies.  Correctional Counselor: Education and Training To become a correctional counselor you'll need a 4-year bachelor's degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology or a related area to work in the field. Many correctional treatment specialists have master's degree in criminal justice, social work or psychology. Most correctional counselors work as trainees for about 6 months, then obtain a permanent position. A typical agency has several levels of correctional treatment specialists, as well as supervisors. Licensing and Certification for Correctional Counselors At minimum, you'll need to be a US citizen over 20 years old, not be a convicted felon, have a bachelor's degree, and pass several competitive written, oral, psychological and physical examinations. Some states require that correctional treatment specialists take certification tests during or after the completion of training. Salary for Correctional Counselors According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, correctional counselors earned a median salary of $45,910 in 2008, while the middle 50 percent earned between $35,990 and $60,430, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $78,210.
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