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Prison Social Worker Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Osborne's Prison Services department is seeking a dedicated Clinical Social Worker to join our Elder Reentry Initiative (ERI) Expansion. This rapid reentry bridge program, based on the Critical Time ...

Osborne's Prison Services department is seeking a dedicated Clinical Social Worker to join our Elder Reentry Initiative (ERI) Expansion. This rapid reentry bridge program, based on the Critical Time ...

Social Worker

Norwood, VA · On-site

$29.81 - $32.70/hr

Green Rock Correctional Center is an all-male, level 3 security state prison in Chatham, Virginia ... Pay rate: $29.81/hr. ($62,000 annually.) Candidates with a LICSW, LCSW, CSAC, CADC, or equivalent ...

Social Worker

Norwood, VA · On-site

$29.81 - $32.70/hr

Green Rock Correctional Center is an all-male, level 3 security state prison in Chatham, Virginia ... Pay rate: $29.81/hr. ($62,000 annually.) Candidates with a LICSW, LCSW, CSAC, CADC, or equivalent ...

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Prison Social Worker information

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$34.5K

$76.3K

$117K

How much do prison social worker jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for prison social worker in the United States is $76,266.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,000.00 and $91,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can you make $200,000 as a social worker?

Prison social workers typically earn less than $200,000 annually, with salaries varying based on experience, location, and level of education. High salaries are more common in senior roles, specialized positions, or in high-cost-of-living areas, often requiring advanced degrees and certifications. Reaching a $200,000 salary as a prison social worker is uncommon and usually involves additional responsibilities or administrative roles.

What is the highest paid social worker position?

The highest paid social worker positions are typically in healthcare, such as clinical or psychiatric social workers with advanced licensure and specialization, or in executive roles like social work directors or managers. These roles often require a master's degree, licensure, and extensive experience, and they can earn six-figure salaries depending on the setting and location.

What Does a Prison Social Worker Do?

As a prison social worker, you work in a jail or correctional facility. Your responsibilities revolve around assessing the mental health of prisoners, identifying substance abuse issues, and providing counseling and support services to promote rehabilitation. You lead group therapy sessions and work with the inmate population, helping them learn life skills so that they are better prepared to reenter the community upon their release. Additionally, you have related administrative duties like maintaining inmates’ medical records and assessment results, developing and documenting care plans, and communicating with prison officials, law enforcement, and the courts regarding prisoner status and progress.

What are prison social workers?

Prison social workers are professionals who provide support, counseling, and rehabilitation services to incarcerated individuals. They help inmates address personal and psychological issues, facilitate access to education or treatment programs, and assist with reentry planning for life after release. Their role is crucial in promoting inmates' mental health, reducing recidivism, and supporting successful reintegration into society.

What are some common challenges faced by prison social workers when supporting incarcerated individuals?

Prison social workers often encounter challenges such as limited resources, navigating strict security protocols, and addressing the complex mental health needs of incarcerated individuals. Building trust with clients can be difficult due to stigma or distrust of institutional systems. Additionally, social workers must balance advocating for inmates' well-being while collaborating with correctional staff, which requires strong communication and conflict resolution skills. These challenges make the role demanding but also highly impactful for those committed to rehabilitation and restorative justice.

Can you be a social worker in a prison?

Prison social workers are employed within correctional facilities to provide mental health services, counseling, and support to inmates. They typically need a bachelor's or master's degree in social work, relevant licensure, and training in correctional environments. These roles involve working with incarcerated individuals and often require security clearances and adherence to facility protocols.

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

To thrive as a Prison Social Worker, you need a degree in social work (often a master's), state licensure, and a solid understanding of criminal justice and mental health issues. Familiarity with case management systems, risk assessment tools, and relevant legal regulations is essential. Exceptional communication, resilience, and conflict resolution skills help you effectively support inmates and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These skills are crucial for promoting rehabilitation, ensuring safety, and facilitating positive outcomes within the correctional environment.

How to make $100,000 as a social worker?

Prison social workers can earn $100,000 by gaining advanced degrees, such as a master's in social work, obtaining licensure, and accumulating significant experience. Specializing in areas like mental health or crisis intervention, working in high-paying facilities, or taking on supervisory or administrative roles can also increase earning potential.

What is the difference between Prison Social Worker vs Probation Officer?

AspectPrison Social WorkerProbation Officer
CredentialsMaster's degree in social work or related field, licensure often requiredBachelor's or master's degree in criminal justice, social work, or related field; licensure varies
Work EnvironmentCorrectional facilities, prisons, detention centersCommunity settings, courts, probation offices
Employer & IndustryCorrectional institutions, government agenciesCourts, probation departments, criminal justice agencies
Primary FocusRehabilitation and support for incarcerated individualsSupervision and monitoring of offenders in the community

Prison Social Workers and Probation Officers both work within the criminal justice system but serve different roles. Prison Social Workers focus on supporting incarcerated individuals within correctional facilities, while Probation Officers supervise offenders in the community. Both roles require relevant credentials and are essential for offender rehabilitation and community safety.

What cities are hiring for Prison Social Worker jobs? Cities with the most Prison Social Worker job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Prison Social Worker jobs? The most popular types of Prison Social Worker jobs are:
What states have the most Prison Social Worker jobs? States with the most job openings for Prison Social Worker jobs include:
Infographic showing various Prison Social Worker job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 2% Summer. Highlights an 96% Physical, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,266 per year, or $36.7 per hour.
SUPERVISING PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKER I , CF - CALIFORNIA STATE PRISON - SACRAMENTO

SUPERVISING PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKER I , CF - CALIFORNIA STATE PRISON - SACRAMENTO

California Correctional Health Care Services

Elk Grove, CA • On-site

$9.3K - $12K/mo

Full-time

Posted 11 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

533rd of 832 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 in response to the status of the State budget. 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 PLP 2025 leave credits monthly through June 2027. Salaries do not reflect the recent changes.
Limited Term 12 months; may be extended up to 24 months or become permanent.
Recruitment and Retention Bonus may be available for clinicians newly hired with California Correctional Health Care Services.
Please be advised of the following additional pay benefits individuals may be eligible for:
  • 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 $5,000), should they meet the eligibility criteria.
  • IMPORTANT : 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 the general direction of the Chief Psychologist, the Supervising Psychiatric Social Worker I, CF provides supervision to psychiatric social workers with and on behalf of mentally, physically or developmentally disabled persons.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Possession of a valid license as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker issued by the California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners. (Applicants who are in the process of securing their license from the California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners will be admitted to the examination, but must secure a valid license before they will be considered eligible for appointment.)
(Unlicensed individuals who are recruited from outside the State of California and who qualify for licensure may take the examination and may be appointed for a maximum of one year at which time licensure shall have been obtained or the employment shall be terminated. Additionally, they must take the licensure examination at the earliest possible date after the date of employment.) and
Education: Completion of a master's degree program from an accredited school of social work, approved by the Council on Social Work Education or equivalent degree approved by the California Superintendent of Public Instruction under the provisions of California Education Code Section 94310. and Two years of post-licensed or post-certified experience as a clinical social worker meeting the supervisor requirements of Section 4980.40(f)(3) of the Business and Professions Code. and
Either I
Two years of experience performing the duties of a Psychiatric Social Worker, Correctional Facility, in the California state service.
Or II
Experience: Four years of experience in psychiatric social work, at least one year of which must have been as a social work supervisor and at least two years of which must have been in a child guidance or psychiatric clinic, in a psychiatric outpatient program, in a psychiatric hospital, or in a psychiatric department of a hospital.
To obtain list eligibility for the Supervising Psychiatric Social Worker I, CF , before applying for the position, you must first take and pass the examination: CalCareers
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.
  • SUPERVISING PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKER I, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
Additional Documents
  • Job Application Package Checklist
  • Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-513595
Position #(s):
284-220-9291-XXX
Working Title:
SUPERVISING PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKER I , CF - CALIFORNIA STATE PRISON - SACRAMENTO
Classification:
SUPERVISING PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKER I, CORRECTIONAL FACILITY $9,324.00 - $12,211.00 P
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
2
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
12 Month Limited Term - Full Time
Facility:
California State Prison, Sacramento
Department Information This advertisement is for a SUPERVSING PSYCHIATRIC SOCIAL WORKER I, CF position located at CA STATE PRISON, SACRAMENTO (CSP-SAC) in REPRESA, CA located in SACRAMENTO COUNTY .
You must indicate JC-513595 and position number on your application: 284-220-9291-XXX .
Please Note: Main communication for this position will be through email. Please ensure you have a valid email address on your application.
Located next door to Old Folsom Prison, California State Prison - Sacramento (SAC) is a licensed health care facility that provides patient services twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. 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 for 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.
  • The position(s) require(s) Medical Clearance prior to being hired.
  • The position(s) require(s) a(n) Clinical Social Worker License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license 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: 8/3/2026
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: Denise Vang
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
California State Prison, Sacramento
Cambria Capps
California State Prison, Sacramento - CCHCS Personnel
100 Prison Road
Represa , CA 95671
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.
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 website, www.calpers.ca.gov .
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