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Prison Monitor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Jane Kahn Legal Fellow

Berkeley, CA · On-site +1

$107K - $134K/yr

On occasion, the Fellow may tour prisons, jails, and/or juvenile facilities and interview incarcerated people and correctional staff to monitor compliance with class action settlement agreements. The ...

Jane Kahn Legal Fellow

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$107K - $134K/yr

On occasion, the Fellow may tour prisons, jails, and/or juvenile facilities and interview incarcerated people and correctional staff to monitor compliance with class action settlement agreements. The ...

Litigation Paralegal

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$120K - $138K/yr

Prison Law Office uses a salary scale commensurate with experience. For 5 to 12 years of experience ... Monitor pending court decisions and conduct legal research at the direction of attorneys; * Assist ...

Litigation Paralegal

Berkeley, CA · Hybrid

$120K - $138K/yr

Prison Law Office uses a salary scale commensurate with experience. For 5 to 12 years of experience ... Monitor pending court decisions and conduct legal research at the direction of attorneys; * Assist ...

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Prison Monitor information

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How much do prison monitor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for prison monitor in the United States is $21.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $25.00 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a prison monitor?

Prison monitors are professionals or officials responsible for overseeing the conditions, treatment, and rights of individuals held in correctional facilities. Their primary role is to ensure that prisons comply with legal standards, human rights regulations, and internal policies. They may conduct inspections, investigate complaints, and report on prison conditions to authorities. Prison monitors can work independently, for human rights organizations, or as part of governmental oversight bodies. Their work helps promote transparency and accountability within the prison system.

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

To thrive as a Prison Monitor, you need a background in criminal justice or corrections, strong observational skills, and a good understanding of prison regulations and inmate rights. Familiarity with incident reporting systems, security technology, and sometimes certifications like CPR or crisis intervention are typically required. Excellent communication, conflict resolution, and impartiality are crucial soft skills for building trust and handling sensitive situations. These skills ensure the safety, fairness, and proper functioning of correctional facilities, while upholding legal and ethical standards.

What are some common challenges faced by prison monitors in their daily work, and how can they effectively address them?

Prison Monitors often encounter challenges such as resistance from facility staff, limited access to certain areas, and balancing impartial oversight with building trust among inmates and staff. To address these, it's important to maintain professionalism, communicate clearly, and adhere strictly to protocols and ethical guidelines. Developing strong observational and interpersonal skills can help foster cooperation and ensure thorough, unbiased monitoring. Regular training and staying updated on correctional regulations also empower Prison Monitors to effectively navigate these challenges.

What is the difference between Prison Monitor vs Correctional Officer?

AspectPrison MonitorCorrectional Officer
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; background checkHigh school diploma or GED; training certification
Work EnvironmentPrison facilities, monitoring inmates from a control room or designated areaPrison facilities, direct supervision of inmates and enforcement of rules
Employer & IndustryCorrectional facilities, detention centersPrison systems, detention centers, jails
Job FocusMonitoring inmate activity, ensuring safety, reporting incidentsMaintaining order, supervising inmates, enforcing rules

Prison Monitors primarily oversee inmate activity from a control room, focusing on surveillance and safety. Correctional Officers have a broader role, including direct supervision, enforcing rules, and maintaining order within the facility. Both roles require similar credentials and work in correctional environments, but Correctional Officers have more direct interaction with inmates.

More about Prison Monitor jobs
What states have the most Prison Monitor jobs? States with the most job openings for Prison Monitor jobs include:
Infographic showing various Prison Monitor job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $43,966 per year, or $21.1 per hour.

Jane Kahn Legal Fellow

Prison Law Office

Berkeley, CA • On-site, Remote

$107K - $134K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

Jane Kahn Research and Writing Legal Fellow

Experience: 0-3 years

Compensation: $107,426-$134,055* plus benefits

* The salary for this position is based upon a non-negotiable salary scale for attorneys at PLO.

Start Date: January to September 2027

Duration: One year

Location: Remote from Arizona, California, or New York (in-office attendance in PLO's Berkeley, California office is welcome, but not required for this position)

Application Due: August 12, 2026 by 11:59 PM PT


What We Do: Prison Law Office is a nonprofit public interest law firm that strives to reduce incarceration and demands fair and humane treatment for people who remain in prisons, jails, immigration detention facilities, and juvenile facilities and who are on parole. With a small staff of attorneys, investigators, litigation assistants, and support personnel, Prison Law Office engages in class action and other impact litigation, advocates for policy and law changes, assists individuals in administrative actions and lawsuits, educates the public, creates and distributes self-help information, and lends technical assistance to other attorneys.


The Role: The Prison Law Office Jane Kahn Writing and Research Legal Fellowship is a one-year position for attorneys with a commitment to civil rights and criminal justice reform, and offers the Fellow the opportunity to obtain unparalleled training and experience in research and writing and other aspects of public interest legal practice. The fellowship is named in honor of Jane Kahn, a pioneering, creative, and compassionate attorney who fought for decades to advance the rights and dignity of people behind bars. This is a research and writing fellowship. On occasion, the Fellow may tour prisons, jails, and/or juvenile facilities and interview incarcerated people and correctional staff to monitor compliance with class action settlement agreements. The Fellow's principal role will consist of research and writing.


The ideal candidate will have:

  • Ability to satisfy one of the following licensing requirements:
    • Admission to the California Bar,
    • Plans to sit for the next California Bar Exam,
    • Eligibility to participate in California's Multijurisdictional Practice (MJP) Program, or
    • Eligibility to practice law while residing in Arizona, California, or New York despite admission to the bar of another jurisdiction.
  • Experience or interest in correctional and criminal legal system matters.
  • Excellent analytical, legal research, and writing skills.
  • Strong oral advocacy skills.
  • Excellent communication skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to problem-solve, exercise sound judgment, take initiative, and work independently.
  • Ability to interact cooperatively, professionally, and effectively with co-workers.


Benefits:

  • Generous health insurance
  • Dental care stipend
  • Annual wellness bonus
  • Life insurance
  • Short- and long-term disability insurance
  • 403(b) retirement accounts with employer matching at 5% of annual earnings
  • Repayment of qualifying federal educational loans up to $1,300/month
  • Paid time off
  • All federal and state holidays off
  • Office closure the last week of the year


Prison Law Office is committed to creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organization and community. We can only maintain excellence by recruiting and retaining a diverse staff that includes all races, ages, backgrounds, citizenships, national origins, disabilities, gender identities, languages, military experiences, sexual orientations, religions, socioeconomic status, work experiences and historically excluded communities.


To be considered for the position, please submit the following materials, via BambooHR, by August 12, 2026 at 11:59 PM PT:

  • Cover letter
  • Resume
  • Legal writing sample (confidential information may be redacted)
  • List of three references