Prison Officer
Overview
A prison officer is a national public official who works in correctional facilities (such as prisons and detention centers) to oversee inmates' daily life guidance, correction and rehabilitation, support for social reintegration, and maintain order within the facility. They are appointed in accordance with the 「Act on the Execution of Sentences and Treatment of Inmates」 (hereinafter referred to as the Execution of Sentences Act) and serve under the Ministry of Justice's Correctional Headquarters. Prison officers go beyond simple surveillance and control roles, serving as key personnel who operate professional correctional programs to protect inmates' human rights and prevent recidivism.
Main Content
1. Roles and Duties of Prison Officers
The duties of a prison officer are broadly divided into inmate management, correction and rehabilitation, security and order maintenance, and administrative tasks.
- Inmate Management: Handles basic treatment such as admission and release procedures, assignment of living spaces, and management of meals, medical care, and hygiene.
- Correction and Rehabilitation: Operates counseling, education, vocational training, and psychological therapy programs to aid inmates' social reintegration. Tailored programs for specific types, such as drug addiction, sexual violence, and violent offenders, are particularly emphasized.
- Security and Order Maintenance: Responds to emergencies like assaults, suicides, and escape attempts within the facility, and performs duties such as managing weapons and equipment, patrolling, and inspections.
- Administrative Tasks: Includes managing inmate records, coordinating with courts and prosecutors, and processing documents related to parole and sentence adjustments.
2. Qualifications and Recruitment
Prison officers are recruited as Grade 7 or Grade 9 public officials, undergoing written exams (covering the Constitution, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure Law, Penology, English, etc.), physical fitness tests, and interviews. As of 2025, the Ministry of Justice is expanding special recruitment for penology majors and bonus points for holders of psychological counselor or social worker certifications to enhance the professionalism of correctional officers. Additionally, the proportion of female prison officers is gradually being increased to improve the quality of treatment for female inmates.
3. Work Environment and Risks
Prison officers typically work in three rotating shifts around the clock, and the long hours in a confined space lead to high stress. Due to conflicts with inmates, exposure to violence, and responding to suicide or self-harm incidents, this profession has a high incidence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). According to a 2024 Ministry of Justice survey, 67% of prison officers reported needing job-related psychological counseling. In response, the government is expanding dedicated psychological support centers for prison officers, raising hazard pay, and pushing for increased staffing.
4. Changes in Correctional Philosophy
In the past, the role of a prison officer was emphasized as a 'guard,' but modern penology aims for restorative justice and human rights-centered corrections. The 2023 revised Execution of Sentences Act explicitly states inmates' rights to self-development and strengthens regulations prohibiting violence and cruel acts by prison officers. Furthermore, prison officers must regularly complete communication training and nonviolent communication education to build trust-based relationships with inmates.
5. Social Perception of Prison Officers
In Korean society, prison officers have suffered from prejudices such as being seen as 'prison staff' and low social recognition. However, with the growing importance of correctional administration, there is a movement to reevaluate prison officers as 'guardians of recidivism prevention and social safety.' In 2024, the Ministry of Justice established 'Correction Day' and expanded reward systems for outstanding prison officers to enhance the profession's status.
Latest Trends
Key changes in the prison officer field from 2024 to 2025 are as follows:
- Staff Increase: The government announced a plan to add 3,000 prison officers by 2025 to lower the inmate-to-officer ratio to the OECD average.
- Digital Corrections: The adoption of electronic monitoring devices, AI-based risk assessment systems, and video visitation systems is expanding, improving prison officers' work efficiency.
- Psychological and Mental Health Support: Dedicated psychological counseling centers for prison officers have been expanded to seven regions nationwide, and regular mental health check-ups have become mandatory.
- Human Rights Strengthening: In line with the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, human rights training for prison officers has been expanded to 40 hours per year, and civilian participation in inmate grievance committees has been mandated.
- Vocational Training Expansion: A new certification system, 'Correctional Officer Vocational Training Instructor,' has been established to allow prison officers to directly guide inmates in vocational training.
Related Topics
- [[Correctional Headquarters]]
- [[Act on the Execution of Sentences and Treatment of Inmates]]
- [[Inmate Human Rights]]
- [[Restorative Justice]]
- [[Correctional Psychology]]
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