1

Prison Psychologist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

Prison Psychologist information

See salary details

$11K

$92.8K

$398.5K

How much do prison psychologist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for prison psychologist in the United States is $92,813.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,500.00 and $117,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What kind of prison psychologist works in prisons?

A prison psychologist working in prisons typically holds a doctoral degree in psychology and is licensed or certified to provide mental health services. They assess, diagnose, and treat inmates with mental health issues, often using psychological testing and therapy, and work within correctional facilities' security protocols. These psychologists may specialize in areas such as forensic psychology or crisis intervention and often collaborate with correctional staff to ensure safety and rehabilitation.

What is the difference between Prison Psychologist vs Correctional Counselor?

AspectPrison PsychologistCorrectional Counselor
Required CredentialsDoctoral degree in psychology, state licensureBachelor's or master's degree in counseling or social work, certification often preferred
Work EnvironmentPrisons, detention centers, forensic settingsPrisons, community correction facilities, rehabilitation centers
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment agencies, forensic institutionsCorrectional facilities, community organizations
Common Search & ComparisonFocus on mental health diagnosis and treatment in prisonsFocus on counseling, rehabilitation, and behavioral management in correctional settings

Prison Psychologists and Correctional Counselors both work within correctional environments, but Prison Psychologists typically hold doctoral degrees and provide mental health assessments and therapy, while Correctional Counselors usually have a bachelor's or master's degree and focus on counseling and behavioral support. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

What are some of the unique challenges faced by prison psychologists in their daily work?

Prison psychologists often encounter challenges such as managing high caseloads, working with individuals who may be resistant to treatment, and addressing a wide range of mental health issues within a confined environment. They must balance the therapeutic needs of inmates with safety protocols and security measures unique to correctional settings. Additionally, prison psychologists frequently collaborate with correctional officers, medical staff, and administrative personnel to ensure comprehensive care, making strong communication and adaptability essential for success in this role.

What does a prison psychologist do?

A prison psychologist is a mental health professional who works within correctional facilities to assess, diagnose, and treat inmates with psychological issues. They provide counseling, therapy, crisis intervention, and mental health evaluations to help inmates manage mental illnesses, stress, and behavioral problems. Prison psychologists also work with correctional staff to create rehabilitation programs, assess inmates’ risk of reoffending, and support overall prison safety and inmate well-being.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a prison psychologist?

To thrive as a Prison Psychologist, you need an advanced degree in psychology (typically a PhD or PsyD), state licensure, and expertise in clinical assessment and forensic psychology. Familiarity with risk assessment tools, psychological testing instruments, and correctional records systems is essential. Strong interpersonal skills, resilience, and the ability to build rapport with diverse and sometimes challenging populations set outstanding professionals apart. These skills are critical for providing effective mental health care, supporting rehabilitation, and maintaining safety within correctional environments.

Can you work in a prison with a psychology degree?

Prison psychologists typically need a master's or doctoral degree in psychology, along with state licensure or certification. They work in correctional facilities providing mental health assessments, therapy, and crisis intervention, often requiring knowledge of forensic psychology and security protocols.

How do I become a prison psychologist?

To become a prison psychologist, you typically need a master's or doctoral degree in psychology, along with state licensure or certification. Relevant experience in mental health and knowledge of correctional environments are also important, and some positions may require specialized training or security clearances.

How much do prison psychologists get paid?

Prison psychologists typically earn between $60,000 and $90,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and level of education. Salaries may also vary based on the facility type and whether the psychologist is licensed and specialized in forensic or clinical psychology.
More about Prison Psychologist jobs
What cities are hiring for Prison Psychologist jobs? Cities with the most Prison Psychologist job openings:
What states have the most Prison Psychologist jobs? States with the most job openings for Prison Psychologist jobs include:
Infographic showing various Prison Psychologist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $92,813 per year, or $44.6 per hour.

Senior Psychologist, CF (Supervisor) - Pelican Bay State Prison

California Correctional Health Care Services

Elk Grove, CA • On-site

$12K - $14K/mo

Full-time

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


California Conservation Corps rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

542nd of 842 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 19, 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.
Please be advised of the following additional pay benefits individuals may be eligible for:
  • Recruitment and Retention Bonus may be available for clinicians newly hired with California Correctional Health Care Services.
  • Please note: Individuals may be eligible to receive a $10,000 one-time recruitment and retention stipend should they meet the eligibility criteria, including but not limited to remaining employed with CCHCS for six months. Additionally, individuals may be eligible to receive a monthly recruitment and retention differential during their first year with CCHCS (totaling $20,000), should they meet the eligibility criteria.
  • I MPORTANT: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and California Correctional Health Care Services (CCHCS) employees may be eligible for a $5,000 referral bonus should you be selected for hire, and remain employed with CCHCS for 90 days. For a CDCR/CCHCS employee to be considered, a questionnaire must be completed to the best of your knowledge, including the referring employee's name , classification , PERNR , and work location . The questionnaire will be provided to the selected candidate during the pre-employment process.
Under general direction of the Chief Psychologist, the Senior Psychologist will assume overall administrative responsibilities for programs within the Mental Health Services Delivery System (MHSDS). As the Program Director: provides evaluations, diagnoses, and treatment for inmates; is responsible for initial acceptance of inmates from other levels of care; participates in intake assessments, including treatment planning; facilitates the Interdisciplinary Treatment Team; administers psychological tests and conducts research as needed.
Minimum Qualifications
License: Possession of a valid license as a Psychologist issued by the California Board of Psychology And
Education: Possession of an earned Doctorate Degree in Psychology from an educational institution meeting the criteria of Section 2914 of the Medical Board of California's Business and Professions Code.
Individuals who do not qualify for licensure by the California Board of Psychology or who are in the process of securing this license will be admitted into the examination; however, applicants must first secure a license to practice as a psychologist in California before they will be eligible for appointment.
and Experience:
Either
1. One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Psychologist Clinical, Correctional Facility, or Staff Psychologist (any specialty); or
2. Two years of postdoctoral, postinternship experience in the practice of psychology involving assessment and treatment and either training, research, consultation, or program planning in mental health services.
To obtain list eligibility for the Senior Psychologist, CF (Supervisor) , before applying for the position, you must first take and pass the examination:
Exam Bulletin - Senior Psychologist, Correctional Facility (Supv)
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
  • SENIOR PSYCHOLOGIST, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY (SUPERVISOR)
Additional Documents
  • Job Application Package Checklist
  • Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-518034
Position #(s):
394-220-9288-XXX
Working Title:
Senior Psychologist, CF (Supervisor) - Pelican Bay State Prison
Classification:
SENIOR PSYCHOLOGIST, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY (SUPERVISOR) $12,685.00 - $14,939.00 P
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:
Del Norte County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Facility:
Pelican Bay State Prison
Department Information This advertisement is for a Senior Psychologist, CF (Supervisor) position located at Pelican Bay State Prison (PBSP ) in Crescent City, CA located in Del Norte County .
You must indicate JC-518034 and position number on your application: 394-220-9288-XXX .
Please Note: Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application.
Located along the Pacific coast, among redwoods and pristine rivers, and just 20 miles from the Oregon border, Pelican Bay State Prison's (PBSP) mission is to provide constitutional medical, dental, and mental health care, in a timely, safe, and efficient manner, while addressing preventative health services, chronic disease management, and public health issues, to reduce unnecessary morbidity and mortality, and protect public health by providing patients timely access to safe, efficient, medical care and coordinate the delivery of medical care with mental health, dental, and disability programs. Primary care services are delivered to the outpatient population through six primary care clinics that operate daily. PBSP has a Correctional Treatment Center (CTC) for inpatient services, and an Urgent Treatment Area (UTA) both operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
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.
  • The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance 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: 8/7/2026
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
Pelican Bay State Prison
Liliya Wanner
Pelican Bay State Prison - CCHCS
5905 Lake Earl Drive
Crescent City , CA 95531
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 - License: Possession of a valid license as a Psychologist issued by the California Board of Psychology.
  • 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:
Shall 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 w

What California Conservation Corps employees say

Pay

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom