Get Correctional Counselor Training

Learn about the exciting and challenging job of correctional counselor.

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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 and drug treatment specialists, create rehabilitation plans for prison inmates and parolees.

Correctional Counselor Job Duties

prisoner behind bars waiting to talk to her correctional counselor

Those working in rehabilitation use their correctional counselor training to evaluate the progress of inmates in jails and prisons. They work with inmates, probation officers, and other agencies to develop parole and release plans. Correctional counselors also provide case reports to the parole board when their clients are eligible for release.

In addition, correctional counselors 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. They usually write treatment plans and summaries for each client.

Correctional Counselor Workplace

Correctional counselors work in jails and prisons, or in parole or 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 U.S. 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

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, correctional counselors earned an average salary of $50,500 in 2009, while the middle 50 percent earned between $36,030 and $62,080, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $78,800.