Statement Of Purpose: A Career As A Correctional Officer

I would love to take this opportunity to thank everyone under the CEEDS umbrella, for giving me the opportunity to serve as a cadet on behalf of the Department of Corrections and John Jay College of Criminal Justice. I have won a treasured insight into the correctional facilities over the past few months. The impact that this program has on me is astonishing. This program has honestly increased my interest in pursuing a career as a correctional officer. The stimulating presentation and conversation with correctional professionals and former offenders has been incredibly beneficial to me since I had no concept of what went on in the correctional facilities. My first thought of this program was that I’d be working in the most dangerous place on earth. Nevertheless, I found that I would be heavily involved in administrative work. It is surprising that being a correctional officer deals not only with footwork, but also clerical work; this is something that is rarely portrayed. I must say that this system has quite a few surprises moreover my initial perceptions regarding a correctional officer's responsibility were incorrect.
From my first Riker’s Island tour, I remember walking into Riker’s Island very frightened, not knowing what to anticipate. I recall leaving the island with an enormous smile on my …show more content…
I received the opportunity to learn what actually goes on in the correctional facilities and how safety is the number one priority. There are numerous demanding situations throughout the correctional facilities including being understaffed, overcrowding and corruption. As a correctional officer I trust that I can offer discipline and stability to those whose lives have neither. As a correctional officer I am not there to punish anyone. I function as a role model and educator. I agree with rehabilitation and the desire to transform criminals into law-abiding