Correctional Services

Careers in Corrections

Becoming a Correctional Officer

Maintaining order and security in a correctional institution is the primary function of a correctional officer. This is a complex task and goes far beyond locking and unlocking doors.

Correctional officers employed by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services are peace officers responsible for the care, custody and control of offenders.

Duties are varied and include supervision of offender activities and control of offender movement throughout the institution.

Correctional officers must be:

alert and prepared to react to the unexpected;
able to handle a variety of difficult situations when dealing with the offender population;
able to communicate effectively with a variety of people;
able to work as a member of a team of professionals in the care and rehabilitation of inmates; and
willing to work shifts.

Correctional officers receive a thorough training program, both on the job and at a ministry training site. Training includes search procedures, self-defence and emergency response.

Correctional officers are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, making a positive contribution to public safety in Ontario.

A career in corrections will appeal to individuals who enjoy working rotating shifts and the challenge of balancing the two diverse components of the job: security/custody and the rehabilitative needs of the offender.

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 - 416-327-0742
Susan Hullah, Recruiter, Central Region - 416-327-7788
Rhonda McWade, Recruiter, Western Region - 519-661-1684
Bonnie Montpetit, Recruiter, Eastern Region - 705-329-6772
Richard Pierre, Recruiter, Northern Region - 705-494-3044