Correctional Officers and Bailiffs

Correctional officers guard people in penal institutions and guard those in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Bailiffs, also known as marshals or court officers, are law enforcement officers who maintain order in courtrooms.

Duties

Correctional officers typically do the following:

• Enforce rules and keep order within jails or prisons
• Supervise activities of people in custody
• Inspect facilities to ensure that they meet security and safety standards
• Conduct searches in the facility, such as of persons and property, for rule violations
• Report on the conduct of people in custody
• Escort and transport people in custody between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point

Bailiffs typically do the following:

• Ensure the security of the courtroom
• Enforce courtroom rules
• Follow court procedures
• Escort judges, jurors, witnesses, and people in custody into and out of the courtroom
• Handle evidence and deliver court documents

Inside the prison or jail, correctional officers enforce rules and regulations. They maintain security by preventing disturbances, assaults, and escapes and by inspecting facilities. They check cells and other areas for unsanitary conditions, contraband, signs of a security breach (such as tampering with window bars and doors), and other rule violations. Officers also inspect mail and visitors for prohibited items. They conduct regular counts of people in custody to ensure that everyone is present. They write reports and fill out daily logs detailing anything of note that occurred during their shift.

Correctional officers may have to restrain people in custody, such as by using handcuffs and leg irons to escort them to and from cells. Officers also escort people in custody to courtrooms, medical facilities, and other destinations.

Bailiffs’ specific duties vary by court, but their primary duty is to maintain order and security in courts of law. They enforce courtroom procedures that protect the integrity of the legal process. For example, they ensure that attorneys and witnesses do not influence juries outside of the courtroom, and they also may isolate juries from the public in some circumstances. As a neutral party, they may handle evidence during court hearings to ensure that only permitted evidence is displayed.

Bailiffs held about 19,000 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of bailiffs were as follows:

Correctional officers and jailers held about 387,500 jobs in 2024. The largest employers of correctional officers and jailers were as follows:

Correctional officers may work both indoors and outdoors at penal institutions. For example, their shift may include patrolling the facility inside and supervising outdoor recreational activities of people in custody. Bailiffs generally work in courtrooms.

Both correctional officers and bailiffs may be required to stand for long periods. They must be alert and ready to react throughout their entire shift.

Injuries and Illnesses

Working in a correctional institution can be stressful and dangerous. Correctional officers and jailers may become injured in confrontations with people in custody, leading to their having one of the highest rates of injuries and illnesses of all occupations. They may wear safety gear, such as gloves and helmets, to protect against injury.

Work Schedules

Most correctional officers and bailiffs work full time. Because jail and prison security must be provided around the clock, correctional officers work in shifts that cover all hours of the day and night, including weekends and holidays. Correctional officers may be required to work overtime. Bailiffs usually work when court is in session.

Correctional officers and bailiffs typically need a high school diploma to enter their occupation. They typically go to a training academy and then are assigned to a facility, where they receive on-the-job training. Although qualifications vary by state and agency, many agencies have an age requirement for correctional officers. Some federal agencies also require officers to have a bachelor’s degree or related work experience.

The median annual wage for bailiffs was $57,050 in May 2024.

The median annual wage for correctional officers and jailers was $57,970 in May 2024.

Overall employment of correctional officers and bailiffs is projected to grow 7 percent from 2024 to 2034, decline.

About 31,900 openings for correctional officers and bailiffs are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.