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Prison Counselor Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Office Assistant

Raleigh, NC

$16.25 - $21.50/hr

Communicate with healthcare staff, hospitals, healthcare clinics, jails, prisons and outside ... Ability to communicate effectively with clinicians, IT professionals, administrators, legal counsel ...

Office Assistant

Raleigh, NC

$16.25 - $21.50/hr

Communicate with healthcare staff, hospitals, healthcare clinics, jails, prisons and outside ... Ability to communicate effectively with clinicians, IT professionals, administrators, legal counsel ...

Prison Counselor information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$16K

$60.4K

$89.9K

How much do prison counselor jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for prison counselor in Raleigh, NC is $60,399.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47,600.00 and $74,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What degree do you need to be a therapist for prisoners?

Prison counselors or therapists typically need at least a master's degree in psychology, social work, counseling, or a related field. Licensure or certification is often required to provide therapy services, and relevant experience in mental health or criminal justice settings is also important.

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

To thrive as a Prison Counselor, you need a background in psychology, social work, or counseling, typically supported by a relevant degree and state licensure or certification. Familiarity with case management software, assessment tools, and correctional facility protocols is essential. Strong interpersonal skills, emotional resilience, and effective communication help build trust and guide inmates through rehabilitation. These skills ensure the delivery of effective support services, promote inmate rehabilitation, and maintain safety within the correctional environment.

What is a prison Counsellor?

A prison counsellor is a mental health professional who works within correctional facilities to provide psychological support, counseling, and rehabilitation services to inmates. They assess inmates' mental health needs, develop treatment plans, and may collaborate with other staff to promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism.

How do you become a prison counselor?

To become a prison counselor, you typically need a bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or a related field, and some positions may require a master's degree. Relevant experience, strong communication skills, and sometimes certification or licensure are also important for employment in correctional facilities.

What is the difference between Prison Counselor vs Probation Officer?

AspectPrison CounselorProbation Officer
CredentialsRelevant degrees in psychology, social work, or counseling; licensure often requiredBachelor's or master's in criminal justice, social work, or related fields; sometimes required to have counseling credentials
Work EnvironmentCorrectional facilities, prisons, detention centersCommunity settings, courts, probation offices
Employer & IndustryCorrectional institutions, government agenciesCourts, probation departments, criminal justice agencies
Job FocusProviding mental health counseling, rehabilitation, and support to inmatesMonitoring, supervising, and assisting offenders in the community

Both Prison Counselors and Probation Officers work within the criminal justice system and require related credentials. While Prison Counselors focus on inmate rehabilitation within correctional facilities, Probation Officers supervise offenders in the community. Their roles complement each other but differ mainly in work environment and specific responsibilities.

What are prison counselors?

Prison counselors are professionals who work within correctional facilities to provide support, guidance, and rehabilitation services to inmates. Their main responsibilities include assessing inmates' needs, developing individualized treatment and rehabilitation plans, facilitating group or individual counseling sessions, and helping inmates prepare for successful reintegration into society. Prison counselors also collaborate with correctional staff and outside agencies to ensure the well-being and progress of inmates.

Are correctional counselors in demand?

Correctional counselors, including prison counselors, are in steady demand due to ongoing needs for inmate rehabilitation and mental health support. Employment opportunities are often available in correctional facilities, and the role typically requires relevant certifications and strong interpersonal skills. Job growth is expected to align with the overall correctional services sector.

What are the most common challenges faced by prison counselors when working with incarcerated individuals?

Prison counselors often encounter challenges such as building trust with inmates, addressing a wide range of mental health and behavioral issues, and managing safety concerns within a correctional environment. Establishing rapport can be difficult due to past traumas or mistrust of authority among inmates. Additionally, counselors must balance providing support with maintaining professional boundaries and adhering to institutional policies, often while working with limited resources. Collaboration with correctional staff and other professionals is essential to ensure both effective rehabilitation and the safety of all parties.
Infographic showing various Prison Counselor job openings in Raleigh, NC as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,399 per year, or $29 per hour.

$16.25 - $21.50/hr

Other

Posted 16 days ago


Wake County rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 26 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

215th of 836 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

What You'll Be Doing:

The Medical Records Administrative Assistant provides administrative support to the Wake County Sheriff's Office Medical Department to meet unique operational demands of a detention environment, where timely access to health information is critical for patient safety, emergency response, and continuity of care.

The medical record is the official legal health record and serves as the primary tool for documenting, communicating, and coordinating healthcare services provided to individuals in custody. It should support safe, timely, and efficient care while meeting legal, regulatory, and accreditation requirements.

Essential Functions:

  • Maintains the integrity and confidentiality of the medical record.
  • Provides healthcare providers with immediate access to electronic records and medical records to current and historical health information regardless of location.
  • Maintains an accurate chronological health record of all healthcare encounters.
  • Communicate with healthcare staff, hospitals, healthcare clinics, jails, prisons and outside agencies to ensure continuity during transfers.
  • Supports audits, investigations, litigation, quality improvement activities and mortality reviews.
  • Ensures only authorized personnel access inmate health records.
  • Performs scanning of paper health information into the electronic health record following established guidelines.
  • Prepare packets with copies of relevant medical documentation, emails and fax documentation and answers telephone calls.
  • Assignments to other duties or locations may be necessary to meet the clinical and administrative needs of the Medical Department.

How you know you are the one:

  • Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
  • Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
  • Ability to communicate effectively with clinicians, IT professionals, administrators, legal counsel, and correctional staff.
  • Ability to balance operational needs with regulatory compliance and patient safety.

About the position:

Location: Wake County Detention Center
Employment: Full time
Work Schedule: 8:15am-5:00pm (hours may change), including weekends and holidays


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