Prison Wardens are in charge of correctional facilities, overseeing the staff and inmates within them. They act as the Chief Executive Officer of a prison. It is a job that combines law enforcement with supervisory and administrative duties. Prison Wardens may supervise 5000 inmates and hundreds of employees. Many correctional officers work their ways up the ranks to become a Prison Warden.
This job is ideal for someone who wants to make a difference in the operation and administration of a correctional facility. It is also full of varied responsibilities, with duties ranging from those of a counselor to correctional officer to supervisor, to administrator. The Prison Warden is the highest level of authority within a correctional facility, and is responsible for enforcing all prison rules at all times, making sure that inmates are always safely in check.
There are various levels of wardens in most prisons. Prison Wardens are the highest level. Under them on the ladder of supervision may be Associate Wardens or Deputy Wardens, then Corrections Captains, then Correctional Lieutenants, and finally, Correctional Officers.
If the idea of becoming a Prison Warden appeals to you, keep reading.
Job Duties of a Prison Warden
Prison Wardens have a variety of responsibilities and duties falling upon their shoulders. They include, but are not limited to:
- Maintaining safety within the correctional facility, for both staff and inmates
- Determining training standards for correctional officers and other staff
- Setting rules and regulations for inmates
- Keeping the correctional facility secure so that no one can enter or exit the facility without proper authorization
- Keeping the prison properly guarded
- Planning, organizing and directing all institutional programs
- Acting as operations chief over all institutional programs and staff
- Keeping visiting secure and safe
- Make the correctional facility run as efficiently as possible
- Make sure that adequate staff levels are present at all times
- Verify that laws and regulations are being followed by staff and inmates
- Make sure the correctional facility’s budget is properly managed and maintained
- Making sure the correctional facility’s grounds are kept in the best shape at all times
- Collaborate with institutional executives at other levels (health care, recreation etc.)
- Develop local policies and procedures based upon prison’s and inmates’ needs
- Resolve potential operational issues
- Direct preparation of reports and statistical analysis to determine effectiveness of prison programs and inmate rehabilitation
Skills and Knowledge that a Prison Warden Should Have
Prison Wardens wear a variety of hats. Therefore, they need many skills and much knowledge, such as:
- Knowledge of the Department of Corrections’ organization, functions, policies and procedures of the state in which your prison is located
- Knowledge of state and federal laws and court mandates
- Creativity and innovation
- External awareness
- Flexibility
- Resilience
- Strategic thinking
- Vision
- Conflict management skills
- Motivational skills
- Team-building skills
- Accountability
- Customer service skills
- Decision-making skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Financial management skills
- Health care systems management knowledge
- Human capital management knowledge
- Technology management knowledge
- Able to build partnerships and relationships
- Good influencer
- Good negotiator
- Political savviness
- Be willing to always be learning
- Integrity
- Honesty
- Good interpersonal skills
- Good oral and written communication skills
Qualifying for a Prison Warden Job
Prison Wardens must meet certain qualifications for jobs, just as correctional officers and others working within prisons must meet. They include, but are not limited to:
- U.S. citizenship
- Being of age (usually no less than 21 and, for federal prisons, no older than 37 upon hire)
- Pass background checks
- Have no felonies on your record or anything that would prevent you from carrying firearms
- Passing medical, psychological, physical fitness tests
- Passing drug tests
- Having a minimum of a bachelor’s degree
- Having work experience in the correctional system
Education and Training for Prison Wardens
Most Prison Warden jobs require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree. This should be in a field such as:
- Corrections
- Criminal Justice
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Human services
- Social work
- Political science
- Counseling
- Business
- Finance
On-the-job training will likely be provided; however, it is expected that you will have experience working within the correctional system and will already know the basics of how the prison is operated, its policies and procedures, etc.
Salaries and Jobs for Prison Wardens
Prison Warden salaries vary depending upon the governmental level of the prison, as well as its size. They may also differ depending upon the level of warden (i.e., Associate Warden, Deputy Warden, Warden, etc.). Recent job openings as of May 2022 show the following salaries for Prison Warden jobs nationwide:
- Correctional Associate Warden, North Carolina Department of Public Safety, Maury, NC
- Salary: $51,895 to $93,346/year
- Deputy Warden, Susquehanna County, Montrose, PA
- Salary: $43,107/year
- Deputy Warden, State of Arizona, Winslow, AZ
- Salary: $46,932 to $84,157/year
- Warden II, McCormick Correctional Institution, McCormick County, SC
- Salary: $64,325 to $90,192/year
Resources for Prison Wardens
These organizations and resources should be of interest to Prison Wardens, or to anyone who wants to become a Prison Warden:
- North American Association of Wardens & Superintendents– This organization, the only one of its kind with members throughout Canada and the United States, sets goals and achieves results in jails and prison operations.
- The Georgia Prison Wardens Association – This non-profit organization organizes and promotes the administration of the prison system of Georgia and of the persons in charge of them.
- United States Deputy Wardens Association – This professional organization provides education, leadership and training for Deputy Wardens across the nation.
Professional Certification for Prison Wardens
Not all Prison Warden jobs require professional certification. It is optional, and available through organizations such as the American Correctional Association (ACA). Becoming certified can increase your chances of being hired for a Prison Warden job over other applicants who are not certified. The most popular certification for Prison Wardens from the ACA is Certified Corrections Manager (CCM) or Certified Corrections Executive (CCE). Both certifications are attainable through education, experience, self-study, and passing an examination.
