Definition of Occupation

Responsible for the safekeeping and supervision of inmates in federal/state prison or jail. Protects the public. Serves as a link between inmates and other institutional departments--administrative, medical, social, etc.

NOTE: traditionally, prisons housed dangerous criminals and those serving sentences of more than one year; jails housed those with short sentences or awaiting trial without bail; today, overcrowding has led to inmates with long sentences being held in jail for several years awaiting transfer. Prisons may be maximum, medium or minimum security. Jails may be traditional or direct supervision (with several areas called pods where inmates sleep, study, eat, socialize and interact constantly with officers on duty).