Prison Wardens: Combining dedication and protection

For most people, the only experience that they will ever have with a prison warden is through the television screen. In movies they are portrayed as no better than the criminals that they oversee; hard, mean, and overbearing. In reality, the job of the prison warden is to oversee the entire organization of the jail and to focus all effort on prisoner rehabilitation. Although the role of the warden requires mostly administrative duties, the results of the warden’s actions are felt throughout the prison.

The position of warden is not one that is simply stepped into; it is a position that is earned. Those interested in this career path may take a degree in Psychology, Criminal Justice or a combination of the two. Many advertised positions for prison wardens are now requiring a master’s degree in Criminal Justice. Starting at the bottom of the career ladder, you may enter this field in the position of probation officer, correctional officer, or prison guard. A warden needs more than a simple degree; he requires management experience and training. Often to even apply for a position as a warden, you will need so many years of management training or hands on experience. With the proper combination of education and work experience, this is a career that you can work your way up the ladder in rapid succession.

There can be several wardens in a single prison, especially if that prison is larger and holds many inmates. A deputy warden oversees a certain area of the prison, and reports to the chief warden. The deputy warden will deal with all issues relating to his area, including food, health care, and rehabilitation plans.

The typical duties of a warden include but are not limited to: 

• Debriefing of staff: Each day that the warden comes in, he must be kept apprised of all events that have occurred at the prison the night before or prior to his last shift. He may meet with several rotations of staff, as the prison is patrolled 24 hours per day.
• Meeting the inmates:  A large portion of a warden’s day is spent meeting and discussing issues with prison inmates. Although the first contact for an inmate is a prison guard, the warden will regularly meet with them to discuss any concerns they may have.
• Dealing with administrative duties: A warden’s job is to ensure that the inmates have adequate food, clothing, and mental stimulation.   If an inmate needs health care, it is the job of the warden to oversee it.
• Staffing and training: The warden not only oversees the inmates, but he is in charge of hiring and training the guards and other employees who work in the prison.
• Financial issues: The warden is in charge of publically allocated funds, and disperses them as he sees fit.
• Handling death row inmates: If the warden governs a jail that has a death row area, he will have to deal with the details of carrying out the sentence including a visit from the Chaplin, the last meal, and the actual orchestration of the lethal injection.
• Press and publicity: If there are press issues to deal with, the warden is often called upon to speak on behalf of the prison.

Depending on the size of the prison and the amount of inmates it holds, the salary of a warden can vary widely. A deputy warden can have a starting salary of $50,000 per year, with increments depending on how complex their assigned area is. The main warden could potentially make $100,000 per year.

It is the warden’s main purpose to keep the public safe from the inmates currently being held at the institution, and at the same time ensure that the prison itself and the people in it all function in an orderly fashion. As a career path, becoming a warden can be fulfilling for a person who can think on their feet and wants to affect positive change in their community.

Earn Your Criminal Justice Degree Online

Explore these accredited online correctional officer degree opportunities below and request free no obligation information from any that interest you.

We recommend getting information from several schools so you can compare the programs, costs, time commitments and financial aid options.

• B.S. in Criminal Justice/Corrections
• M.S. in Criminal Justice/Corrections

Kaplan University

The Kaplan University Criminal Justice - Corrections programs help further your expertise in the administrative and operational aspects of the U.S. correctional system, both institutional and community based.

American InterContinental University Online

• Criminal Justice - Special Populations (BSCJ)

The concentration in Special Populations focuses on the philosophies and processes of the juvenile justice system; the impact of diversity on the criminal justice system as a whole; and the policies and enforcement of drug-related crimes.

Related Information:

How To Become A Correctional Officer
A majority of institutions require correctional officers to be at least 18 to 21 years of age and a U.S. citizen; have a high school education or its equivalent; demonstrate job stability, usually by accumulating 2 years of work experience; and have no felony convictions. Obtaining a criminal justice or law enforcement degree may enhance promotion prospects. The Federal Bureau of Prisons requires entry-level correctional officers to have at least a bachelor's degree; or 3 years of full-time experience in a field providing counseling, assistance, or supervision to individuals; or a combination of these two requirements. Correctional officers must be in good health. read more...

Interested in Becoming an FBI Agent?
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents are the Government’s principal investigators, responsible for investigating violations of more than 200 categories of Federal law and conducting sensitive national security investigations.

Find out more about your criminal justice degree online.

>> Request a free Course Catalog