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

Physician - CPHC

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$295K/yr

Central Prison Healthcare Complex serves as the hub for healthcare for the male inmate population ... social workers, and other personnel. The physician will compile histories of present and past ...

... of prison chaplaincy, women's issues, and social justice with a mission to equip women with the ... Working knowledge of local roads and routes. The ability to utilize maps, GPS systems, and car ...

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 Sep 6, 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 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,132 per year, or $35.6 per hour.

Physician - CPHC

North Carolina

Raleigh, NC • On-site

$295K/yr

Other

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

COO - OPS - Institutions Operations

Physician (NS)

This position is located at Central Prison, which is a close-custody prison housing male offenders. Central Prison Healthcare Complex serves as the hub for healthcare for the male inmate population. The facility is designed to house a maximum capacity of 1318 offenders. This is a Primary Care Physician who provides both inpatient and outpatient services, urgent care services, acute, infirmary, and chronic levels of healthcare. Duties for this position include but are not limited to:

  • Preventive medicine
  • Rehabilitative & geriatric healthcare and emergent care
  • Working closely with nursing staff to provide all aspects of medical care
  • Independent judgement in planning& maintaining total medical care for a patient using a broad scope of duties which will consist of monitoring and/or treating patients with multiple medical issues, acute and chronic diseases, post-hospitalization, rehabilitation, dementia total care, and others.

Clinical Services: Patient Care (80 Percent)

The physician will treat medical problems of patients assigned to the correctional units/ institutions. The Physician will evaluate and interpret reports developed by the physicians, psychologists, nurses, physician extenders, technologists, technicians, social workers, and other personnel. The physician will compile histories of present and past illnesses, review applicable records, and perform physical examinations, where appropriate. The physician will develop a treatment plan for the patient and order whatever modalities are needed. The Physician is expected to provide all normal primary care services at the prison unit/institution, including acute and chronic medical care, preventative health services, and minor skin surgeries. The physician shall provide health education to inmates regarding communicable disease, infectious disease, and overall advice on the maintenance of good health.

Supervision and Management (20 Percent)

The physician will supervise and review nursing care provided at facilities as required by North Carolina Statutes, regulations of the North Carolina Board of Medical Examiners, and other applicable state regulations. The Physician will provide professional supervision of the physician assistant or nurse practitioner in accordance with the Laws of North Carolina. The Physician will provide cost-effective care and will cooperate in improving the cost-effectiveness of care and quality of care provided to inmates. The Physician will make recommendations regarding policy and procedure development as related to Health Care Service for inmates at the facilities. The Physician is supervised clinically by the Section of Prisons Medical Director and administratively by the Asst. Director for Health Services and is held accountable for the delivery of healthcare. Instructions are provided by the Director of Health Services and Medical Director. Inadequate health care for patients being treated can result in loss of health or life and invite litigation. Personal contact is frequently and routinely made with personnel, including nursing staff, custody support staff, and the center superintendent. The Physician will work in a correctional facility.

Salary Range: $ 147,932.00 – $295,863.00

Applicants who possess the following skills are preferred:

  • Demonstrated experience in the practices of general and preventative medicine to include treating and diagnosing a variety of diseases and injuries in family or internal medicine
  • Documented experience assessing and interpreting laboratory results, clinical data, and information relative to the patient's condition
  • Demonstrated experience documenting patient health information in the medical record

The State of North Carolina offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

  • Health Insurance options
  • Retirement Plans
  • NCFlex Supplemental Benefits
  • Paid Vacation, Sick, and Community Service Leave
  • Paid Parental Leave

Visit the State Benefits website for additional information.