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Prison Social Worker Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Re-entry Case Manager NIABH

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$19.50 - $25/hr

Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm (50% working in the prison and 50% in the community) Join a Team That ... social and leisure activities, hobbies, etc.) * Awareness of and offers a range of valuable ...

New

Re-entry Case Manager NIABH

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$19.50 - $25/hr

Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:00pm (50% working in the prison and 50% in the community) Join a Team That ... social and leisure activities, hobbies, etc.) * Awareness of and offers a range of valuable ...

New

Prison Social Worker information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$33.5K

$74.1K

$113.7K

How much do prison social worker jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for prison social worker in Raleigh, NC is $74,132.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,300.00 and $88,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a prison social worker?

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 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 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.

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.

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.

How much money do prison social workers make?

Prison social workers typically earn between $40,000 and $65,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and level of education. They often require a bachelor's or master's degree in social work and may need state licensure to practice in correctional settings.

What are the most commonly searched types of Prison Social Worker jobs in Raleigh, NC?

The most popular types of Prison Social Worker jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What are popular job titles related to Prison Social Worker jobs in Raleigh, NC?

For Prison Social Worker jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Prison Social Worker jobs in Raleigh, NC look for?

The top searched job categories for Prison Social Worker jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Prison Social Worker jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Prison Social Worker job openings:

Infographic showing various Prison Social Worker job openings in Raleigh, NC 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 $74,132 per year, or $35.6 per hour.

Correctional Officer (Correctional Counselor)

Bureau of Prisons/Federal Prison System

Butner, NC • On-site, Remote

$68K - $88K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

Summary
Corrections professionals who foster a humane and secure environment and ensure public safety by preparing individuals for successful reentry into our communities.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
The Correctional Counselor develops and implements programs within the unit to meet the individual needs of the inmates confined, to include individual as well as group counseling.
As part of the institution intake process (Admissions & Orientation), must interview newly admitted inmates.
The Correctional Counselor plays a key role in maintaining and enhancing the security of the unit and institution by their extensive contacts with the inmates.
Serves as the unit expert and coordinator on matters pertaining to: (a) inmate personal property, including incoming and outgoing package approvals; and (b) trust fund activities, including inmate withdrawals and special purchase orders.
Along with all other correctional institution employees, incumbent is charged with responsibility for maintaining security of the institution. The staff's correctional responsibilities precede all others required
Requirements
Help
Conditions of employment
Career Transition Programs (CTAP or ICTAP): These programs apply to Federal and/or DOJ employees who meet the definition of surplus or displaced from a position in the competitive service. To receive selection priority for this position, you must:
  1. Meet CTAP or ICTAP eligibility criteria;
  2. Be rated well-qualified for the position, scoring at least half of the total possible points for the vacancy KSAs or competencies; and
  3. Submit the appropriate documentation to support your CTAP eligibility:
    • A copy of the agency notice (i.e., separation notice or agency RIF letter),
    • Most recent performance appraisal, and
    • Most recent SF-50 showing current/former position, grade, promotion potential, and duty location.
    • See USAJOBS' Career Transition Programs for more information.

EEO Statement/Policy: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. More information can be found here: U.S Department of Justice - Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
Key Requirements:
  • U.S. Citizenship is Required.
  • See Special Conditions of Employment Section.
  • Selective Service Requirement

Qualifications
To be considered for the position, you must meet the following qualification requirements:
Education:
There is no substitution of education for specialized experience for this position.
OR
Experience:
You must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and complexity to the next lower grade level. This experience must have equipped the applicant with the qualifications to successfully perform the duties of the position.
Some examples of this qualifying experience are:
  • Experience in work such as police officer, social worker or mental health counselor in a residential facility or detention officer.
  • Experience in conducting individual and group counseling sessions.
  • Experience conducting internal and external audits.
  • Experience in coordinating matters pertaining to inmate personal property and involvement in the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) Inmate Intake Process and inmate Admission and Orientation process.
  • Experience following policy to respond to the Administrative Remedy grievance process.
  • Experience coordinating re-entry programs.

AND
Medical Requirement:
The Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons has established the following medical requirements for Correctional Officer positions:
The duties of these positions involve unusual mental and nervous pressure and require arduous physical exertion involving prolonged walking and standing,
restraining of prisoners in emergencies, and participating in escape hunts. Applicants must be physically capable of performing efficiently the duties of these positions and be free from such defects or disease as may constitute employment hazards to themselves or others. The duties of a Correctional Officer are arduous; and sound health as well as physical fitness is required.
If applicable, credit will be given for paid and unpaid experience. To receive proper credit, you must show the actual time (such as the number of hours worked per week) spent in activities.
**Your eligibility for consideration will be based on your responses to the questions in the application.**
Additional information
In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3307, a maximum entry age of 36 has been established for original appointment to a position in a Bureau of Prisons institution.
If you are above the maximum entry age and have prior federal law enforcement coverage, you MUST submit an SF-50 to verify prior coverage.
Qualified Preference Eligible Veterans may be exempt from meeting the maximum age. Please refer to the Required Documents Section for the appropriate documentation to submit to validate veteran eligibility.
Special Conditions of Employment Section:
Appointment is subject to satisfactory completion of a pre-employment and panel interview, urinalysis, physical, and background investigation.
All applicants are subject to, and must satisfactorily pass all screening requirements in relation to National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and credit check.
All applicants not currently working in an institution will be required to complete a qualification inquiry regarding convictions of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence in order to be authorized to carry a firearm.
Successful completion of the "Introduction to Correctional Techniques", three-week training course at Glynco, Georgia is required.
Additional selections may be made if vacancies occur within the life of the certificate.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.