An estimated 44% of people in jail have a mental illness, making caring for inmates with mental health issues a critical role in correctional healthcare. A correctional counselor is one of the people who care for these patients and their mental health needs.
What is a Correctional Counselor?
A correctional counselor provides mental health support to people in correctional facilities, including facilitating personal development and addressing underlying issues that may have contributed to criminal behavior.
Correctional counselors work directly with jailed people to help them navigate the challenges of incarceration and rehabilitation.
What Does a Correctional Counselor Do?
How does a correctional counselor support jailed people and help them improve their mental health? Here are some of the tasks they perform:
- Needs Assessment. Correctional counselors evaluate patients’ mental health, behavioral patterns, and risk factors through interviews and reviewing case histories.
- Conduct Intervention. Provide interventions to assist with developing coping mechanisms, improving decision-making skills, and addressing emotional or psychological challenges.
- Collaborate. They coordinate with correctional officers, medical staff, other mental health professionals, and sometimes even community organizations to ensure a comprehensive approach to rehabilitation.
- Document Progress. Correctional counselors maintain accurate records of patient progress.
Where Do Correctional Counselors Work?
Correctional counselors have various employment options. Where they work depends on their individual interests and expertise.
Correctional counselors are employed in:
- Prisons and Jails. Working within correctional facilities to provide on-site counseling and rehabilitation services.
- Probation and Parole Offices. Assisting people transitioning back into the community after incarceration.
- Community Reentry Programs. Supporting programs designed to help former inmates adjust to life outside of prison.
These are just some of the places correctional counselors may work.
Skills and Qualifications to Become a Correctional Counselor
Correctional counselors must possess a specific combination of education, skills, and personal attributes to support their clients effectively. Here’s a look at some of those attributes.
Educational Background
Most correctional counselors have a bachelor’s and master’s degree in psychology, social work, criminal justice, or counseling. They may also have special courses or certifications in areas like crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, or addiction counseling.
Counselors also need to obtain state licensure, such as becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
Core Skills
All counselors must have certain skills to succeed. Correctional counselors need these counseling skills and others specific to their roles, including:
- Communication and Active Listening. These skills help them build trust with patients by listening to their concerns without judgment. They also help them clearly explain rehabilitation plans and expectations.
- Empathy and Emotional Resilience. Counselors must be able to understand the unique concerns of people in jail while maintaining professional boundaries and managing the emotional toll of working in a correctional setting.
- Conflict Resolution and Problem-Solving. They must be able to navigate disputes among jailed people or between patients and corrections staff.
- Case Management and Organization. Counselors need to keep detailed records of assessments, treatment plans, and progress. They must also manage multiple cases simultaneously while ensuring individual attention to each person.
Personal Attributes
Beyond education and skills, successful correctional counselors exhibit specific personal qualities like patience, integrity, and adaptability. Working with vulnerable populations who may have many mental health challenges isn’t an easy job. It takes a certain type of person to excel in this environment.
Challenges of Being a Correctional Counselor
The role of a correctional counselor can be demanding. Here are some of the challenges correctional counselors may encounter in their work.
Difficult Work Environment
Jail isn’t an easy place for anyone. Correctional facilities are often high-stress environments. counselors must navigate a workplace where security and structure are a priority.
Correctional counselors work with patients who may have histories of violence or emotional volatility. They must be able to balance building rapport with patients while enforcing necessary boundaries and maintaining security.
Emotional Toll
Correctional counseling can be emotionally taxing. Counselors are regularly exposed to traumatic stories and people who don’t get better, either because of systematic or personal barriers. The challenges related to these patients can cause these counselors to experience compassion fatigue and burnout if they don’t have proper support.
Resistance to Change
Many patients may initially resist rehabilitation efforts due to distrust, a lack of motivation, or feelings of hopelessness. Counselors must be able to build trust gradually to overcome skepticism about their role and intentions. They also have to help patients recognize their agency in shaping their own futures.
Rewards of Being a Correctional Counselor
While being a correctional counselor has its challenges, the rewards of the role are equally or even more impactful. These professionals have the unique opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of patients, their families, and society as a whole. Here are some of the key rewards of the profession.
Positive Impact
Correctional counselors help people address the root causes of their behavior and work toward meaningful change. Rewards include:
- Fostering Personal Growth. Helping jailed people develop coping strategies, emotional regulation skills, and positive habits.
- Encouraging Hope and Resilience. Giving people the tools and confidence to envision a better future.
- Transforming Families. Supporting rehabilitation can have ripple effects, positively influencing patients’ loved ones and reducing intergenerational cycles of incarceration.
Professional Growth and Fulfillment
The complexity and variety of the work offer opportunities for personal and professional development, including developing specialized skills, building resilience and adaptability, and knowing that the work contributes to personal transformation and public safety.
Reducing Recidivism and Enhancing Public Safety
Correctional counselors help reduce reoffending rates by assisting patients with their mental health issues and addictions. This help in healing contributes to safer communities and lessens the likelihood of reincarceration.
Witnessing Tangible Results
Perhaps the most rewarding part of being a correctional counselor is seeing someone change their life. Although progress can be slow, the moments of success, like seeing patients succeed, celebrating their wins, and receiving their gratitude, are super rewarding.
How to Become a Correctional Counselor
Becoming a correctional counselor requires specific education and training. Here are the steps to take to secure a professional role in this area.
Obtain the Necessary Education
Earn a bachelor’s degree in a field like psychology, counseling, social work, or criminal justice. Follow it by earning a master’s degree in one of the areas listed above.
Gain Practical Experience
During your education, seek internships or practicum opportunities in correctional facilities, community reentry programs, or social service organizations.
After graduation, consider starting in a related position like a case manager or social services assistant. These roles provide hands-on experience and insight into the correctional system.
Obtain Relevant Certifications and Licenses
Become a licensed counselor and receive state licensing, such as that for a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
Additional specialized certifications can enhance your expertise. You may want to consider certification through the American Correctional Association or the National Commission on Correctional Healthcare.
Apply for Correctional Counseling Positions
Research job opportunities. Look for openings in correctional facilities, probation offices, community reentry programs, or government agencies.
When you’re applying for jobs and preparing for interviews, highlight your education, certifications, and relevant experience. Be ready to discuss how you handle challenging situations and build trust with clients.
Become a Correctional Counselor
Ready to become a correctional counselor? TK Health, an Oklahoma-based correctional healthcare provider, employs mental health professionals in jails across the region.
Our team oversees the day-to-day healthcare operations in facilities with inmate populations ranging from 25 to more than 2,000 inmates.
Want to work for TK Health? Learn more about joining our team.
