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Entry Level Prison Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Graduate Administrative Assistant

Troy, AL · On-site

$16 - $21.75/hr

This program teaches incarcerated women about gardening and nutrition through gardening classes held inside of Tutwiler Prison led by Troy faculty. This position will support this program. Duties can ...

Corrections Officer I

West Chester, PA

$43K - $56K/yr

Chester County Prison is currently accepting applications for the full-time position of Correctional Officer. This is entry-level work involving formal and informal academic and on-the-job training ...

Be Seen First

We are looking for entry level position or some warehouse experience. Military and JROTC knowledge ... reunions, in prisons, churches, stadiums, and at cemeteries. We've been in the movies and on ...

Veteran-friendly

... prison/jail sentence. Our facility focuses on public safety while helping people to reintegrate ... This position is entry-level, and no experience is needed; however, this position is also great for ...

... prison/jail sentence. Our facility focuses on public safety while helping people to reintegrate ... This position is entry-level, and no experience is needed; however, this position is also great for ...

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Entry Level Prison information

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$12

$16

$22

How much do entry level prison jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level prison in the United States is $16.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.62 and $18.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are entry level prison jobs?

Entry level prison jobs typically refer to positions within correctional facilities that do not require prior experience or specialized training. Common roles include correctional officer, food service worker, maintenance staff, or administrative support. These jobs involve tasks such as supervising inmates, maintaining facility security, preparing meals, or assisting with clerical work. Most entry level prison jobs require a high school diploma or equivalent and on-the-job training is usually provided. Working in these roles can be demanding but can also offer opportunities for career advancement within the corrections system.

What is the difference between Entry Level Prison vs Entry Level Correctional Officer?

AspectEntry Level PrisonEntry Level Correctional Officer
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; background checkHigh school diploma or equivalent; background check; sometimes additional training
Work EnvironmentPrison facilities, correctional institutionsPrison facilities, detention centers
Employer & Industry UsageCorrectional institutions, government agenciesLaw enforcement agencies, correctional facilities
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Entry Level Prison roles and Entry Level Correctional Officer positions are similar, both working within correctional facilities and requiring comparable credentials. The main difference lies in terminology; 'Entry Level Prison' is a broader term often used to describe initial roles within prisons, while 'Entry Level Correctional Officer' specifically refers to the frontline staff responsible for inmate supervision. Both roles serve the correctional industry and typically involve similar work environments and qualifications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry-level correctional officer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an entry-level correctional officer, you generally need a high school diploma or equivalent, a clean background check, and basic knowledge of security procedures. Familiarity with surveillance equipment, incident reporting systems, and first aid certification is often required. Strong interpersonal skills, stress management, and sound judgment help you handle challenging situations and interact with inmates and colleagues effectively. These abilities are critical for maintaining safety, order, and professionalism within a correctional facility.

What are some common challenges faced by entry-level correctional officers, and how can new hires prepare for them?

Entry-level correctional officers often encounter challenges such as managing difficult inmate behavior, adapting to strict security protocols, and working long or irregular shifts. New hires can prepare by developing strong communication skills, maintaining physical fitness, and familiarizing themselves with facility policies and procedures. Building resilience and seeking support from experienced colleagues can also help new officers adjust to the demands of the role and ensure a safer, more effective work environment.

What jobs can you get at a prison?

Entry-level prison jobs include correctional officer, security officer, and administrative support staff. These roles typically require training, background checks, and adherence to safety protocols, with some positions involving shift work and security equipment operation.
More about Entry Level Prison jobs
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Prison jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Prison job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Prison jobs? The most popular types of Prison jobs are:
What states have the most Entry Level Prison jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Prison jobs include:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Prison job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 25% As Needed, and 75% Part Time. Highlights an 86% Physical, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,227 per year, or $16.9 per hour.
INDUSTRIAL SUPERVISOR, PRISON INDUSTRIES (DENTAL LAB) - FOLSOM STATE PRISON

INDUSTRIAL SUPERVISOR, PRISON INDUSTRIES (DENTAL LAB) - FOLSOM STATE PRISON

California Correctional Health Care Services

Elk Grove, CA • On-site

$5K - $7K/mo

Full-time

Retirement

Posted 29 days ago


California Conservation Corps rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

401st of 645 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Effective July 1, 2025, in accordance with the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, the Personal Leave Program 2025 (PLP 2025) was implemented. PLP 2025 requires each full-time employee in Bargaining Unit 12, and related Excluded, Exempt and Statutory Exempt employees, will have their base salary reduced by 3 percent and will receive 5 hours PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through June 2027. Salaries do not reflect the recent changes.
Under the direction of the Supervising Dentist, Correctional Facility or the Prison Industries Superintendent II (Dental Laboratory), the Industrial Supervisor, Prison Industries (Dental Laboratory) is responsible for the production and the fabrication of prosthetic devices for incarcerated persons in a dental laboratory within a correctional facility.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience: Two years of experience in the fabrication of the full range of dental prosthetic products of which one year shall have been in a lead capacity over entry level staff or inmates in a correctional facility, responsible for the fabrication of such products. (Education, such as trade school, vocational education, or a major in the trade at the community college, college, or university level, may be substituted for the required experience on the basis that two years of education is equal to one year of the required work experience. Such education must include two years of course work in the specified industrial operation.)
Promotional Candidate: Promotional candidates, including employees on training-and-development assignments, who are within six months of meeting the "Minimum Qualifications" for the specified promotional class, will be admitted to the examination but first must complete the required experience before they can be eligible for appointment.
To obtain list eligibility for the Industrial Supervisor, Prison Industries (Dental Lab) , before applying for the position, you must first take and pass the examination:
Exam Bulletin - Industrial Supervisor, PI (Dental Laboratory)
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
  • INDUSTRIAL SUPERVISOR, PRISON INDUSTRIES (DENTAL LAB)
Additional Documents
  • Job Application Package Checklist
  • Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-514804
Position #(s):
071-214-7204-XXX
Working Title:
INDUSTRIAL SUPERVISOR, PRISON INDUSTRIES (DENTAL LAB) - FOLSOM STATE PRISON
Classification:
INDUSTRIAL SUPERVISOR, PRISON INDUSTRIES (DENTAL LAB) $5,337.00 - $7,019.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Facility:
Folsom State Prison
Department Information This advertisement is for a Industrial Supervisor, Prison Industries (Dental Lab) position located at Folsom State Prison (FSP) in Represa, CA located in Sacramento County .
You must indicate JC-514804 and position number on your application: 071-214-7204-XXX .
Please Note: Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application.
Folsom is a family-friendly city, which touts nationally recognized schools, recreational activities, fine dining, premium shopping, and access to an expansive network of hiking trails near the American River and Folsom Lake. It is within short driving distance of weekend getaways to Lake Tahoe or San Francisco.
Vision
We enhance public safety and promote successful community reintegration through education, treatment and active participation in rehabilitative and restorative justice programs.
Mission
To facilitate the successful reintegration of the individuals in our care back to their communities equipped with the tools to be drug-free, healthy, and employable members of society by providing education, treatment, rehabilitative, and restorative justice programs, all in a safe and humane environment.
CDCR and CCHCS are committed to transforming the correctional landscape to create safer, more professional, and more fulfilling environments for our employees, the incarcerated population, and those supervised in our communities. Through systemwide improvements grounded in proven and emerging practices, we aim to strengthen rehabilitation, enhance workplace satisfaction, and support successful reentry into the community through our institutions, parole, and community partnerships. Our shared mission is to promote safety, wellness, and human dignity while fostering positive change for all those who live and work within our institutions and communities.
CDCR and CCHCS are committed to building an inclusive respectful workplace. We are determined to attract and hire candidates from all communities and empower employees from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and personal experiences. We are proud to foster inclusion and drive collaborative efforts at all levels of the Department.
Across our organization, our programs work cooperatively to provide the highest level of health care possible to a diverse correctional population. We encourage creativity and ingenuity while treating others fairly, honestly, and with respect, all of which are critical to the success of the CDCR and CCHCS mission.
Special Requirements
  • The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.
Do not include any confidential information on any documents you submit for a job vacancy, such as your State application, resume, or educational transcripts. Confidential information that should be excluded or removed from these documents includes, but is not limited to, your Social Security Number (SSN), birthdate, student identification number, driver's license number (unless required), basis of eligibility, examination results, LEAP status, marital status, and age. Confidential information on the first page of applications submitted electronically online, such as Easy ID number, SSN, examination related information, and driver's license number will automatically be redacted upon submission.
Possession of Minimum Qualifications will be verified prior to interview and/or appointment. If you are meeting Minimum Qualifications with education, you must include your unofficial transcripts/diploma for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If it is determined an applicant does not meet the Minimum Qualifications, the candidate will be withheld from the eligibility list, rendering them inactive and ineligible to be hired for the position. Candidates who have been withheld may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board.
Candidates new to CCHCS are required to submit to a background investigation process utilizing Live Scan Fingerprinting.
Tuberculosis (TB) testing is required for candidates new to CCHCS prior to appointment followed by department annual TB testing/evaluation thereafter.
Applicants who completed their education outside of the US (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of U.S. course/degree equivalency. Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at NACES | National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
When submitting supporting documents, PDF file format is preferred.
Employment History on the STD 678 must be complete and include dates, accurate hours per week, total time worked, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors . To prepare for the State Application process, please visit Work4CA: State Application Checklist .
Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 6/23/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s).
Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
California Correctional Health Care Services
Regional Human Resources-Northern
Attn: Kaontao Vue
Regional Human Resources - Northern
PO Box 588500, D1, Personnel
Elk Grove , CA 95758
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
California Correctional Health Care Services
Folsom State Prison
Mary Trevino
Folsom State Prison - CCHCS
300 Prison Road
Folsom , CA 95763
08:00 AM - 04:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:
  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
  • Other - Education: If you are meeting minimum qualifications with education, you must include a copy of your diploma/degree and/or unofficial/informal transcripts for verification. Official transcripts may be required upon appointment. If you are not using education to meet minimum qualifications, you may bypass this requirement.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
Willingness to create and promote an equitable and inclusive workplace where diversity is celebrated and valued.
Benefits Benefit information can be found on the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) website, www.benefits.calhr.ca.gov/ , and the CalPERS website, www.calpers.ca.gov .
Information on benefits afforded by membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System Benefit can be found on the CalHR website at www.benefits.calhr.ca.gov/state-employees/retirement/ .
Information on the benefits and protections provided to public employees by the State Civil Service Act can be found on the CalHR website at www.calhr.ca.gov/about-calhr/divisions-programs/selection-division/merit-system-services-program/ .
This webpage is intended to provide general information. Benefit eligibility may be based on job classification, bargaining unit, time base and length of appointment.
Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact:
Mary Trevino
(916) 985-2561 ext: 3528
Mary.Trevino@cdcr.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
CCHCS EEO Office
(916) 691-6118
CCHCS_EEO@cdcr.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Additional Information
Priority consideration will be given to Reemployment, Departmental Restriction of Appointment (DROA), State Restriction of Appointment (SROA), and Surplus candidates.
All methods of appointments may be considered.
CCHCS accepts electronic applications. If interested, please submit an electronic application (STD 678) and resume through your CalCareer account at www.jobs.ca.gov. Your application must be submitted on or before the above Final Filing Date.
Paper App (If unable to submit an electronic application): To apply for this position, you may submit a Standard State Application (STD 678) and resume, along with copies of your most recent performance report, college transcripts/college diploma (if applicable) and license/certification (if applicable) to the contact person listed above.
PLEASE NOTE: All applicants must meet the minimum qualifications (MQ's) of the clas...