About the job

Correctional officers work with inmates in Ontario correctional centres, detention centres and jails. They ensure the security and custody of inmates and make sure inmates have what they need for a successful rehabilitation.

Correctional officers work in rotating shifts with varying duties, including:

  • supervision of inmate activities
  • controlling inmates 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 inmate 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
  • willing to work shifts

We train correctional officers on the job and at a ministry training site. Training includes:

  • search procedures
  • self-defence
  • emergency response

Learn about the application and selection process.

Hours of work

We staff correctional institutions 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.

It is important that enough staff are working at all times to maintain the safety and security of staff, inmates and the community. We require correctional officers to work a variety of shifts, sometimes with very short notice, including:

  • days
  • afternoons
  • nights
  • weekdays
  • weekends
  • statutory holidays

Initially, we hire new correctional officers as fixed-term (part-time) employees. This means we call you in or schedule you for shifts as needed to fill in for planned or unplanned absences.

In time, you may become a permanent, full time employee with a regular shift pattern. The shift pattern will vary from one institution to another. Shift lengths generally range from 8 to 12 hours.

Pay and benefits

If you’re a new hire you begin employment as a Correctional Officer 1 classification and earn $32.15 per hour. You can move through the range to a maximum of $37.79 per hour.

Based on accumulated hours and satisfactory job performance you can progress to Correctional Officer 2 classification and earn $34.53 per hour to a maximum salary of $43.66 per hour.

We offer full-time employees insured benefits, including:

  • extended health and life insurance
  • long-term disability
  • sick leave
  • various leaves, according to the collective agreement
  • vacation time corresponding to continuous years of service

Part-time (also known as “fixed-term”) correctional officers receive a percentage of their wages in lieu of statutory holidays, vacation and insured benefits.