Correctional Services

Careers in Corrections

Becoming a Correctional Officer

Admission Process

The admission process consists of three stages: qualifications; testing and evaluation; and a personal interview.

Stage One - Qualifications

To qualify for stage one, applicants must:

be eligible to work in Canada;
have an Ontario Grade 12 graduation diploma or formal equivalency; and
have current Emergency First Aid and CPR Heartsaver certificates.

COSTART Application Form

Stage Two - Testing and Evaluation

This portion of the admission process takes place at Information and Testing Centres held in various locations throughout Ontario several times a year.

Individuals attending these sessions receive in-depth information about the realities of the day-to-day life of a correctional officer. Following a video presentation and a question and answer period, candidates begin the formal testing and evaluation procedure.

Testing and evaluation consists of:

the Correctional Officer Counting Test;
the Canadian Achievement Survey Test for language expression, language mechanics and comprehension;
a video-based judgment test;
a video and written observation skills test; and
a personality inventory.

Stage Three - Personal Interview

This stage consists of a personal interview based on the core competencies required of a correctional officer. After the interview, each applicant is required to undergo:

physical abilities testing;
medical examination
security and employment reference checks; and
character reference checks.

For more information on how to become a correctional officer, please contact:

Correctional Officer Recruitment Unit
150 Dufferin Avenue, Suite 704
London, Ontario N6A 5N6

Telephone: 519-661-6179
Toll Free: 1-888-412-8111

or contact your Regional Recruiter:

Cassandra Charlton, Recruiter, Central Region - 416-314-9542
Susan Hullah, Recruiter, Central Region - 416-314-7778
Rhonda McWade, Recruiter, Western Region - 519-661-1684
Bonnie Montpetit, Recruiter, Eastern Region - 705-329-6772
Richard Pierre, Recruiter, Northern Region - 705-494-3044