Prison Officer Protective Services Workers
SaveWhat Does a Prison Officer Do?
Prison officers supervise inmates in a correctional facility and ensure the security and peace-keeping in the facility. They perform checks and searches to ensure compliance to regulations, monitor visitations and the activities of inmates as well as participate in programs of rehabilitation, and ensure records maintenance.
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Where Do I Start?
Legal Use-Of-Force
The characteristics of the use-of-force, which is a legal doctrine employed by police and army forces, to regulate acts of violence during interventions. Use-of-force is ought to balance security needs with ethical concerns for the rights and well-being of intruders or suspects.
Sign up to trackReady to go deeper? Pick up to 3 skills to focus on from the list below.
These are common skills for this role. Real-world experience matters more than ticking every box — use this as a guide, not a checklist.
Skills You Need to Become a Prison Officer
Essential Skills
Essential Skills
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EssentialLegal Use-Of-Force knowledge
The characteristics of the use-of-force, which is a legal doctrine employed by police and army forces, to regulate acts of violence during interventions. Use-of-force is ought to balance security needs …
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialIllegal Substances knowledge
The forbidden substances which cannot be transported from one area to another, or carried by an individual, as well as their nature and how to handle them.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialLaw Enforcement knowledge
The different organisations involved in law enforcement, as well as the laws and regulations in law enforcement procedures.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialCorrectional Procedures knowledge
Tthe legal regulations and policies concerning the operations of correctional facilities, and other correctional procedures.
No book recommendations available yet.
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EssentialComply With The Principles Of Self-Defence skill
Observe the principles according to which a person should only use so much force as is required to repel an attack. The use of deadly force is limited to situations …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEnsure Compliance With Types Of Weapons skill
Use different kinds of firearms and other types of weapons and their matching ammunition, in compliance with legal requirements.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialHandle Conflicts skill
Mediate in conflicts and tense situations by acting between parties, such as service users, important others like families, and institutions, striving to effect an agreement, reconciliate, and resolve problems.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialIdentify Security Threats skill
Identify security threats during investigations, inspections, or patrols, and perform the necessary actions to minimise or neutralise the threat.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialPatrol Areas skill
Patrol a designated area, watch out for and respond to suspicious and dangerous situations, and communicate with emergency response organisations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialRestrain Individuals skill
Restrain, or control by force, individuals who violate regulations in terms of acceptable behaviour, who present a threat to others, and who perform acts of violence, to ensure the individual …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialUndertake Inspections skill
Undertake safety inspections in areas of concern to identify and report potential hazards or security breaches; take measures to maximise safety standards.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialEscort Defendants skill
Escort suspects and known offenders from one area to another, such as in a prison or from a cell to a courtoom, to ensure they do not escape, that they …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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EssentialSee To The Detainees' Well-Being skill
See to the welfare of the prisoners providing primary commodities and services such as distributing food and clothes, calling the doctor and others.
Course recommendations coming soon.
Optional Skills (5 of 18 displayed)
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OptionalCriminology knowledge
The study of criminal behaviour, such as its causes and nature, its consequences, and control and prevention methods.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalSurveillance Methods knowledge
Surveillance methods used in the gathering of information and intelligence for investigation purposes.
No book recommendations available yet.
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OptionalApply Knowledge Of Human Behaviour skill
Practice principles related to group behaviour, trends in society, and influence of societal dynamics.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalEnsure Law Application skill
Ensure the laws are followed, and where they are broken, that the correct measures are taken to ensure compliance to the law and law enforcement.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalHandle Surveillance Equipment skill
Monitor surveillance equipment to observe what people are doing in a given area and ensure their safety.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Logbooks skill
Maintain the required logbooks according to practice and in established formats.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalMaintain Operational Communications skill
Maintain communications between different departments of an organisation, between the staff, or during specific operations or missions, to ensure that the operation or mission is successful, or that the organisation …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPractice Vigilance skill
Practice vigilance during patrol or other surveillance activities in order to ensure safety and security, to look out for suspicious behaviour or other alarming changes in patterns or activities, and …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalRespond To Enquiries skill
Respond to enquiries and requests for information from other organisations and members of the public.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalShow Responsibility skill
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalUse Different Communication Channels skill
Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalWrite Situation Reports skill
Write reports according to specifications and regulations of an organisation on the situation which needs to be reported on, such as the status of an investigation, of intelligence gathering, or …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalConduct Frisk skill
Conduct frisks, or pat downs, with individual to ensure there are no illegal or dangerous items concealed on their person, in a manner appropriate and compliant with regulations.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalConduct Security Screenings skill
Monitor human flow through the screening checkpoint and facilitate the orderly and efficient processing of people; inspect luggage and handbags following screening procedures.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalContribute To The Formulation Of Correctional Procedures skill
Contribute to the formulation of regulations and procedures concerning the operations of correctional facilities.
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalManage Security Clearance skill
Manage the systems and monitor the functioning of the security clearance system and staff working to ensure security of the facility, to ensure no non-authorised individuals acquire access and to …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalOversee Rehabilitation Process skill
Oversee the rehabilitation process of offenders during their stay in a correctional facility, to ensure that they follow the instructions, show good behaviour, and work towards full re-integration when they …
Course recommendations coming soon.
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OptionalPropose Leisure Activities skill
Propose appropriate recreational activities based on the targeted public's behaviour and wishes.
Course recommendations coming soon.