Careers in Security

A secure future.

That’s what CCA’s security professionals gain when they join the founder and leader of the corrections management industry, performing what has been described as a recession-proof public service.

Contrary to stereotypical depictions of jails and prisons, CCA’s correctional centers are well-maintained, state-of-the-art facilities, outfitted with innovative technologies and security hardware. CCA facilities feature classrooms, medical and dental clinics, maintenance areas, business offices, recreation areas and gymnasiums, laundry mats, housing units, vocational shops and dining facilities.

And, with CCA, security professionals do more than just observe inmates. They deliver rehabilitative programs, oversee day-to-day services, mentor offenders, ensure safety for inmates, colleagues and the greater community, and much more.

From the front lines of daily inmate management to training correctional staff and managing shifts, security professionals with CCA enjoy a challenging, dynamic and fulfilling career. They comprise more than 65 percent of the company’s national workforce, realizing rewarding career opportunities as entry-level, intermediate and senior-level professionals. Security professionals serve in a variety of roles at CCA’s nationwide correctional centers in small towns, major metropolitan areas and many destinations in between. With our company, corrections is a time-honored specialty, with opportunities for advancement and achievement at each step.

View our Security Careers brochure.

Our security professionals are:

Corrections Officers

Corrections officers comply with daily post orders, which may include assignment to key control, perimeter, segregation, kitchen, recreation, central control, visitation, housing, transportation, work detail, intake, education, laundry or elsewhere. They also help maintain safety and security for inmates, fellow staff and the surrounding community.

Many of CCA’s professionals in security and other specialized areas, such as programs, quality assurance, maintenance and training, began their career in the industry as corrections officers. Click here to learn more...

Senior Corrections Officers

Senior corrections officers directly supervise correctional officers and provide for the protection of all inmates and the preservation of their legal rights, while prioritizing facility safety and security.

Senior corrections officers help to supervise inmate counts and direct key control procedures. Their increasing professional experience, training and commitment prepare them for eventual advancement.

Assistant Shift Supervisors

Assistant shift supervisors supervise corrections officers and work directly senior security management, communicating responsibilities and expectations, and promoting compliance with applicable polices, rules, regulations and procedures.

Assistant shift supervisors monitor health and safety standards within the facility and recommend corrective actions as necessary. They help to ensure the protection of inmates and their legal rights. They also supervise inmates counts and maintain proper key control procedures.

Shift Supervisors, Captains and Unit Managers

Shift supervisors, captains and unit managers are responsible for a range of duties that support facility management in achieving safe and secure operations.

Shift supervisors oversee administrative and operational security activities during specific shifts. They manage staff during each assigned shift and ensure adequate security coverage, while also leading count procedures.

Unit managers ensure quality supervision and caseload management, and help maintain proper sanitation and food service. They also work closely with case managers in developing and delivering rehabilitation programs.

Captains oversee the custody, supervision and control of inmates. They also manage frontline security staff, assisting in controlling inmate movement and directing the use and issuance of keys, locks and security equipment.

Assistant Chiefs of Security

Assistant Chiefs of Security assist with the facility security plan and operations, including staffing and post assignments. They also promote compliance with all applicable policies, procedures, rules, regulations and standards.

Assistant Chiefs of Security oversee other security department staff, including shift supervisors, captains and unit managers. They also research, compile, analyze and submit recommendations for security budgets, staffing patterns and other administrative activities. Assistant Chiefs of Security may also attend meetings on inmate care and treatment, participate in administrative decision-making and produce required reports.

Chiefs of Security and Chiefs of Unit Management

Chiefs of Security and Chiefs of Unit Management may oversee their own respective staffs of correctional officers and managers.

Chiefs of Unit Management maintain unit management teams, which are staffed by correctional officers. They also promote compliance with all applicable policies, procedures, rules, regulations and standards. Additionally, they supervise unit managers and ensure compliance with stated goals and objectives.

Chiefs of Security help develop and maintain the overall security plan and security operations, including staffing and post assignments. They promote compliance with all applicable policies, procedures, rules, regulations and standards, while addressing staff concerns, evaluating inmates and more.
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Assistant Wardens

Assistant wardens are experienced corrections professionals who, when necessary, are capable of assuming some of the warden’s duties. They oversee mid-level and senior-level staff and ensure compliance with contractual mandates and legal directives, American Correctional Association accreditation standards and the requirements of various fire, building and health codes inspectors.

Assistant wardens address the administrative concerns of various departments and provide an accessible executive level of support that ranges from front line security to the health services clinic and beyond.
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Wardens

Wardens have a great degree of financial, administrative, regulatory, legal, managerial and operational oversight and accountability. They address the needs of the human resources, maintenance, inmate programs, health services, security, education, food service and quality assurance departments, as well as general office concerns, with the ultimate goal of operating a safe and secure facility. They also develop and manage facility budgets, while ensuring contractual compliance.

Wardens are highly visible fixtures in a community. They work collaboratively with area law enforcement, local officials, nonprofit organizations, school systems, little league sports teams and others. They also attend local, regional and national conferences and training seminars, and work with the area media.
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