Correctional officers are in charge of monitoring individuals awaiting trial or people who are incarcerated in a penal institution.  Correctional officers oversee the admittance and processing of over 12 million individuals per year.  Officers maintain security and inmate accountability to prevent disturbances, assaults, and escapes.  Officers have no law enforcement responsibilities outside the institution where they work.

Correctional officers usually work within the confines of a jail or prison setting, maintaining order and routine for the prisoners.  Duties include monitoring population activity, searching cells, writing incident reports, inspecting facilities, and checking of inbound and outbound mail.

Bailiffs are officers who maintain the decorum and safety within courtrooms.  Their primary duties vary from court to court and may include assisting judges, preventing outside contact from contaminating juries, and enforcing courtroom rules.