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Prison Assistant Jobs (NOW HIRING)

State of Michigan

Prison Counselor 9-P11

Ypsilanti, MI · On-site

$26 - $35.85/hr

Position functions as a professional prison counselor in prison housing units, completing a variety ... Assistant Resident Unit Supervisor 11 or Corrections Shift Supervisor 11; or, two years as a ...

Jubilee Ministries

MEN'S PRISON CHAPLAIN

Somerset, PA · On-site

$21.20/hr

Promote Men's Aftercare and facilitate inmate applications * Assist in organizing and executing Jubilee activities in the facility * Minister to prison staff within the facility * Participate in ...

Jubilee Ministries

MEN'S PRISON CHAPLAIN

Somerset, PA · On-site

$21.20/hr

Promote Men's Aftercare and facilitate inmate applications * Assist in organizing and executing Jubilee activities in the facility * Minister to prison staff within the facility * Participate in ...

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How much do prison assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for prison assistant in the United States is $37.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $58.89 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a prison assistant?

Prison Assistants are entry-level staff who support the daily operations within a correctional facility. They assist correctional officers in maintaining security, supervising inmates, and ensuring that rules and procedures are followed. Their duties may include monitoring inmate behavior, conducting searches, escorting inmates, and assisting with administrative tasks. Prison Assistants play a crucial role in maintaining order and safety within prisons, and their work helps facilitate the rehabilitation and management of inmates.

What are some of the main challenges prison assistants face when supporting inmate rehabilitation?

Prison Assistants often navigate the challenge of building trust with inmates while maintaining professional boundaries and ensuring safety. Balancing administrative duties, monitoring inmate behavior, and providing support for rehabilitation programs can be demanding, especially in a dynamic and sometimes high-stress environment. Effective communication and resilience are crucial, as Prison Assistants frequently coordinate with correctional officers, social workers, and healthcare staff to address inmates' needs and uphold facility rules.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a prison assistant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Prison Assistant, you need a good understanding of security procedures, basic law enforcement principles, and usually a high school diploma or equivalent. Familiarity with surveillance systems, incident reporting software, and radio communication devices is commonly required. Strong interpersonal skills, emotional resilience, and the ability to remain calm under pressure help in managing inmate interactions and diffusing conflicts. These competencies are vital for maintaining safety, ensuring order, and supporting rehabilitation within correctional facilities.

What is the difference between Prison Assistant vs Correctional Officer?

AspectPrison AssistantCorrectional Officer
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some roles may require certificationsHigh school diploma or equivalent; basic training required
Work EnvironmentPrison facilities, assisting staff, supporting inmate managementPrison facilities, supervising inmates, enforcing rules
Employer & IndustryPrison systems, detention centersPrison systems, detention centers
Job RoleSupport staff assisting correctional officers, handling inmate needsSupervise inmates, maintain security, enforce regulations

Prison Assistants typically support correctional staff by handling inmate needs and assisting with daily operations, while Correctional Officers are responsible for supervising inmates and maintaining security. Both roles work within correctional facilities and require similar basic qualifications, but Correctional Officers have more direct security responsibilities.

What is required to work as a prison assistant?

To work as a prison assistant, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, pass background checks, and complete relevant training or certifications related to security and safety procedures. Good communication skills, the ability to handle stressful situations, and physical fitness are also important requirements for the role.
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Cities with the most Prison Assistant job openings:

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Prison Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Prison Assistant job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $78,854 per year, or $37.9 per hour.

Assistant Director: Prison Education Program

Salt Lake Community College

Taylorsville, UT • On-site

Full-time

Retirement

Posted 3 days ago

New

Salt Lake Community College rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

363rd of 620 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Taylorsville Campus, UT
Job Type: Exempt Full Time
Job Number: 202500841
Division: Student Affairs
Department: Learning Advancement
Opening Date: 08/19/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.
All employees are expected to maintain a permanent residence within the State of Utah as a condition of employment. New employees must provide a valid Utah residential address within 30 days of their start date.
Job Summary
The Assistant Director of the Prison Education Program will engage with SLCC administrators, staff and faculty, Department of Corrections personnel, incarcerated students, community partners, and other stakeholders to develop and deliver SLCC classes/programs to incarcerated individuals in the Utah prison system. The emphasis of this position is on academics and curricula. The Assistant Director will contribute to regional and national conversations about educational equity, poverty, and incarceration and post-incarceration success. This is an at-will position.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities & Knowledge Skills & Abilities
The Assistant Director of Prison Education is responsible for creating an effective educational program for incarcerated students. They will supervise staff, engage with stakeholders on and off campus, manage budgets and college-owned resources, serve on college and community committees, and complete projects in a timely manner. Given the job responsibilities, the ability to obtain and maintain clearance at the prisons will be a necessary condition of employment. The Assistant Director is directly responsible for course scheduling; faculty recruitment, training and support; student advising; course assessment and quality control; curricular agreements with other colleges; educational technology, and supervision of prison education program staff.
Important knowledge, skills and abilities for the Assistant Director position include:
  • Ability to develop and maintain strong working relationships with a broad group of stakeholders.
  • Strong communication and cross-cultural skills.
  • Knowledge pertaining to prison programs and educational systems.
  • Knowledge and experience in a variety of pedagogical practices that can be employed inside a correctional facility.
  • Detail oriented.
  • Project-management skills.
  • Proficiency with computers including Microsoft Office applications, spreadsheets, and databases.
  • Experience in writing and ascertaining grant funding.
  • Ability to successfully supervise others.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with a broad range of people with a variety of abilities and backgrounds, to maintain good working relationships across the College.
  • Ability to work with all groups from a variety of academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, and with community college students, faculty, and staff, including those with disabilities.
  • Ability to work comfortably with incarcerated students in a supportive and non-judgmental fashion.
  • The Assistant Director will split their time between the prison and the SLCC campus and will often need to work non-traditional hours.

Minimum qualifications
  • Bachelors degree in a discipline taught in SLCC's General Education program.
  • At least 1-year of part or full-time experience working full-time doing any kind of job in a jail, prison, or after someone gets out.
  • At least 2-years of successful part or full-time teaching experience in higher education.
  • Valid driver's license.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's degree in a discipline taught in SLCC's General Education program
  • At least 1-year of successful higher education teaching in a corrections setting.
  • At least 2-years of successful non-teaching work in a corrections or rehabilitation setting.
  • Experience conducting quantitative or qualitative research.

SLCC Information
Salt Lake Community College is Utah's largest open-access college in the state. We proudly educate 45,000+ students pursuing degrees in 100+ programs across 8 areas of study, and Utah's fastest growing industries and four-year baccalaureate programs consistently welcome SLCC graduates. Every SLCC employee has a hand in transforming students' lives to strengthen its surrounding communities. SLCC employees work at 8 locations across the valley and capital city of Salt Lake with easy access to the beautiful Wasatch Mountains, world-class outdoor recreation, sporting events, museums, history, and arts and entertainment.
Salt Lake Community College seeks and values contributions from each community member and welcomes new perspectives. A respectful work environment is its top priority; academic excellence and lasting transformation occurs when we can collaborate freely. As an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution, SLCC leads the state with the highest enrollment of students from the Latinx/a/o community. SLCC is committed to serving students and being a model for inclusive and transformative education.
Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) is fully committed to policies of equal employment and nondiscrimination. The College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, religion, protected veteran status, expression of political or personal beliefs outside of the workplace, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.
SLCC is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). In addition to URS, SLCC offers several other retirement account options.
This position is subject to a successful completion of a criminal background check.
  • More information about Salt Lake Community College benefits:

  • Find our Total Compensation Estimator here:

01
Do you have a Bachelors degree in a discipline taught in SLCC's General Education program?
  • Yes
  • No

02
Do you have at least 1-year of part or full-time experience working full-time doing any kind of job in a jail, prison, or after someone gets out?
  • No
  • Yes

03
Do you have at least 2-years of successful part or full-time teaching experience in higher education?
  • Yes
  • No

04
Do you have a valid driver's license?
  • Yes
  • No

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