Rhode Island Department of Corrections
Correctional Officer Applicant Success Guide
2023
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1) Becoming a Correctional Officer
2) Correctional Officer Job Specifications
3) The Selection Process
4) Tips for Excelling on the Exam
5) Physical Agility Testing Requirements
6) Oral Interview Panel Preparation Guide
7) Grooming/Personal Appearance
8) Resources
9) Academy Sponsored Information Sessions
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1. Becoming a Correctional Officer - If you are interested in becoming a Correctional Officer, there are
some basic minimum requirements you must meet before entering the screening process.
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be a high school graduate or have a General Equivalency Diploma (GED)
• Must possess a valid photo identification card
• Must possess a valid social security card or alien registration card
• Must not have any felony or domestic violence convictions
• Must not have any misdemeanor convictions within three years of the application date
• No use of illegal drugs (must pass a drug screening test)
• Must be fluent in English
2. Correctional Officer Job Specifications - To be responsible for safeguarding the custody and well-
being of inmates confined at the Adult Correctional Institution; to supervise their conduct and to
maintain order and discipline among them; to carry out plans for their training and rehabilitation; and to
do related work as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the general supervision of a superior officer from whom are
received general and specific orders, instructions and assignments; work is reviewed by frequent
inspections for effectiveness and conformance to institutional policies, rules and regulations.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Supervises the work and training of inmates.
EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:
• Safeguard the custody and well-being of inmates confined in a State Correctional Institution.
• Supervise the conduct of and maintains order and discipline among inmates.
• Assist inmates on matters pertaining to their adjustment to institutional conditions and to assist them
in their personal, emotional and adjustment problems or to direct them to the proper persons for
guidance. To carry out plans for the training and rehabilitation of inmates.
• Operate devices for locking and unlocking security doors, cells and close custody facilities and to be
accountable for all keys used for these purposes.
• Make regular and irregular inmate counts and to make reports thereon to a superior officer.
• Carry firearms in the performance of outer perimeter security duty and emergency assignments.
• Maintain proficiency in the use, care and operation of firearms.
• Responsible for strict control over rifles, tools and other items, which are hazardous from the
custodial standpoint.
• Exercise constant vigilance to observe any unusual activities or movements of individuals or groups
indicative of attempted escape and riot, strike or minor irregularities and to report same to a superior.
• Inspect inmate quarters to see that they are in sanitary and orderly condition.
• Directly supervise inmates in housing units, in recreational fields and assembly areas, as required by
the duties of the post to which assigned.
• Search inmates and living quarters for the detection of pilferage and to prevent the possession of
contraband.
• Conduct orientation training for newly committed inmates
• Complete related work as required.
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REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT:
KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND CAPACITIES:
The ability to…
• Acquire knowledge of the practices, methods and techniques of adult correctional and custodial work
• Safeguard and supervise inmates and to maintain discipline
• Cooperate and work with other employees engaged in carrying out plans for the rehabilitation of
inmates
• Meet and deal effectively with others in resolving problems related to assigned functions
• Observe the attitude and mental, physical and other reactions of inmates
• Use firearms and related capacities and abilities.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Education: Graduation from a senior high school; and
Experience: Employment in private or public work involving the supervision of others and the
enforcement of rules and regulations.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: The following conditions of employment must be met at time of
appointment: Successful completion of the twelve-week correctional officer training program. Must be
capable of performing (with or without reasonable accommodations) the essential duties as evidenced by
a physician's certificate from a physician designated by the Department of Corrections. In accordance
with RIGL 42-28.3-1, no person shall be appointed temporary, probationary, or permanent until they
shall have been evaluated and tested by a certified psychologist and receive a satisfactory rating which
shall be in writing.
No such appointee shall be given a permanent appointment to a position within this class unless he/she
shall have met all of the above requirements. "Every effort will be made to reasonably accommodate an
individual who has a disability. Therefore, nothing in this specification shall be interpreted to prohibit the
use of such accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of this class."
3. The Selection Process
a. Complete Correctional Officer candidate applications (both preliminary and supplemental)
b. Physical Agility Test - See information contained within this document.
c. (BCI/NCIC) records check – Conducted by the Rhode Island Department of Corrections
Records and Identification Section.
d. Written Examination - Applicants must successfully complete a written examination, which
measures interpersonal skills and cognitive reasoning. The examination is designed, prepared,
and scored by an independent, professional research company.
e. Background Investigation - Applicants will then undergo an extensive background
investigation conducted by a member of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections regarding
their past employment record, education, criminal history, consumer credit history, community
reputation, military service, and overall character.
f. Oral Interview Panel – Applicants that successfully pass the physical agility assessment,
written examination, and background investigation will appear before a structured oral interview
board. The structured oral interview consists of a series of questions administered by
departmental members and conducted in a fair and impartial manner. Applicants receive ratings
for each question posed. Additionally, applicants will be evaluated on oral communication,
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interpersonal skills, effectiveness under stress as well as appearance and demeanor. See
information contained within this document.
g. Psychological Assessment - Applicants deemed eligible to continue in the process are
administered a written psychological examination, along with a follow-up interview by a
licensed psychologist. All evaluations are interpreted by a licensed psychologist retained by the
Department of Corrections.
h. Medical screening, including drug screen - Applicants deemed eligible to continue in the
process must pass a complete medical examination and be found medically qualified by a
physician designated by the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.
i. Conditional Offer of Employment - Applicants who have successfully completed all phases of
the selection process will receive a Conditional Offer of Employment as either a candidate or
alternate candidate to participate in the Rhode Island Department of Corrections Training
Academy.
j. Recruit Orientation Program - The Recruit Orientation Program is a structured program
required for all candidates/alternate candidates who have received Conditional Offers of
Employment. This program will commence approximately two (2) weeks prior to the start of the
Rhode Island Department of Corrections Training Academy.
The program will focus on preparing each candidate/alternate candidate for success in the
Training Academy. A final Physical Agility Pre-Academy Assessment will be conducted during
the Orientation Program. Any candidate that fails this assessment shall be dismissed from the
Academy and their Conditional Offer of Employment shall be rescinded. Candidates/alternate
candidates will be provided with information and instruction to assist them in general readiness
to attend the Training Academy and familiarization to the Department of Corrections facilities.
Candidates/alternate candidates are required to attend all sessions. Any candidate/alternate
candidate who fails to attend the mandatory sessions and/or fails the physical assessment test will
have his/her Conditional Offer of Employment revoked resulting in removal from the selection
process.
k. Complete twelve-week, non-residential pre-service Training Academy.
4. Tips for Excelling on the Exam - To ensure that you score as well as you can, there are a few tips you
should consider prior to taking an exam. They include:
a. Prepare yourself:
• Get a good night’s sleep the night before the exam.
• Eat a good breakfast, lunch or dinner before coming to the exam site.
• Minimize distractions by insuring that you allot sufficient time to travel to the exam site, and you
know exactly where to go for the exam.
b. Understand the following about the Exams: The exams require NO previous knowledge about the
correctional officer job or the Rhode Island Department of Corrections.
1. The exams are designed to measure your aptitude to succeed as a correctional
officer.
2. If you are not sure about the right answer to a question, make your best guess. If
you leave an answer blank, it will be automatically marked wrong.
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3. When you make an educated guess about an answer to a question, your first response
is usually best. Going back over the question and changing the answer does not
generally improve your score.
c. Relax and do your best.
If you still have questions about the exam, the twelve-week program or working in a correctional
facility, consider coming to one of the Academy sponsored information sessions detailed in this
guide. BEST OF LUCK!
5. Physical Agility Testing Requirements (Entrance)
The Rhode Island Department of Correction’s Training Academy has designed a rigorous training
regime, administered daily throughout the academy that challenges candidates to significantly improve
their overall physical condition. Candidates should be in the best physical fitness at all times, as it is a
requirement from the day they start their training at the Training Academy as they train through many
different types of conditions that they must endure and be able to sustain. Conditioning and training takes
strong commitment and dedication on the candidates’ part and is necessary because they must be able to
cope with dramatic increases in heart rates due to stress or physical exertion and later, as their way of
survival in the profession they have chosen.
The information provided is designed to assist anyone who wants to improve their fitness in order to
successfully pass the Departments Physical Fitness Test and succeed in the Training Academy and/or
process. This information is about the type of training required to properly prepare for the rigors of the
Academy and it offers tips that should help a person with average fitness prepare for training and avoid
injury.
The Physical Fitness Test measures muscular strength and endurance (sit-ups and push-ups), and
aerobic power (300 meter run and 1.5-mile run). To best prepare, applicants should adhere to the tips
and guidance of exercise training to maximize their results and to avoid injuries. Listed below are some
key points regarding the requirements of the position and the physical agility testing standards.
The physical training within the Training Academy prepares candidates for demanding positions with
safety and security responsibilities. Job duties are carried out under dangerous conditions in which
officers must be able to defend themselves and others. Correctional officers must be proficient in the use
of various types of firearms and be physically capable of controlling those persons in their custody even
when the officer is unarmed and outsized. Further, Correctional officers may be required to perform at a
consistently high level for extensive periods of time.
Successful completion of the physical agility test ensures that all candidates are at a minimally
acceptable level of physical fitness to meet the physical demands of mandatory training and the
performance of job duties.
General Information
• Physically condition yourself to perform these tests
• Avoid heavy physical exercise (48) forty-eight hours prior to testing
• Refrain from smoking and drinking caffeine on the test day
• Do not eat a large meal within (2) two hours of testing
• Tests are performed in this order:
o Sit-ups
o 300-meter run
o Push-ups
o 1.5-mile run
Note: You will be given at least a (15) minute rest period between each event.
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• You must obtain a passing score in all four events. Failure in one event results in your
removal from the selection process.
This test is administered prior to your entry into the twelve-week pre-service program. The Cooper
Institute Standards are initially tested at the 40
th
percentile. A correctional officer must be able to respond
to a variety of physically demanding activities requiring physical strength and endurance. To insure you
can successfully complete the rigorous twelve-week pre-service training program as well as perform your
duties once you graduate from the Academy, you will be required to meet the physical agility
requirements detailed on the charts below:
Physical Fitness Test
• Sit Ups - This is a measure of the muscular endurance of the applicant's abdominal and hip flexor
muscles. Applicants must lie on their backs, knees bent, with fingers interlocked behind their head, heels
flat on the floor. Another applicant will hold their feet down. The applicant's heels will be approximately
the distance between the applicant's outstretched thumb and small finger from the buttocks. From the
"down or starting" position on their back, the applicant will raise their upper body, fingers interlocked
behind their head, and touch their elbows to their knees at the "up" ending position. This will be recorded
as one (1) correct sit-up. Applicants will then lower themselves until their shoulder blades touch the mat.
Applicants may rest only in the "up" position. The applicant score will be the total number of correct sit-
ups completed in one (1) minute.
• p
• 300 Meter Run - This is a measure of the applicant's anaerobic power capacity. Applicants will run 300
meters at a maximal level of effort. Time used to complete the distance will be recorded in seconds.
• Push-Ups - This is a measure of the applicant's muscular endurance of the upper body (anterior deltoids,
the pectorals and triceps). The applicant's hands are placed slightly wider than shoulder width apart, with
fingers pointed forward. The administrator of the event will place one (1) sponge on the floor below the
applicant's chest. Starting from the "up" position (elbows extended), the applicant must keep their back
straight always and lower their body to the floor until their chest touches the sponge. The applicant then
MALE – 40
th
Percentile
Assessment Battery
Age
18-29
Age
30-39
Age
40-49
1-minute push-up
29
24
18
1-minute sit-up
38
35
29
300 Meter Run (sec)
59
59
72
1.5-mile run (min)
12:38
13:04
13:49
FEMALE – 40
th
Percentile
Assessment Battery
Age
18-29
Age
30-39
Age
40-49
1-minute push-up
15
11
9
1-minute Sit-up
32
25
20
300 Meter Run (sec)
71
79
94
1.5-mile run (min)
14:50
15:38
16:21
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returns to the "up" position. This is recorded as one (1) correct push-up. Resting should be done only in
the "up" position. The total number of push-ups with correct form completed in one (1) minute is
recorded as the score.
• 300Run1.5 Mile Run
• 1.5 Mile Run - This test is used to measure the efficiency of the cardiovascular system and how it
responds to imposed physical demand. The applicant must run or jog 1.5 miles in the shortest time
possible. All scores are individually recorded.
6. Oral Interview Panel Preparation - This information is being provided to help prepare you for Rhode
Island Department of Corrections oral interview. Be sure to read through this information carefully. By
understanding what to expect during the process, you will be more self-confident; self-confidence, in
turn, will increase your chances of performing well during the assessment.
The Oral Interview - The oral interview consists of a series of questions that will assess the skills and
abilities necessary to perform the duties as a Correctional Officer within the Rhode Island Department of
Corrections. These questions may range from hypothetical scenarios to specific questions about how you
tend to deal with situations. Your answers will be evaluated by a panel of staff members. During the oral
interview, a panel member will read a question aloud to you. If you don’t understand the question or need
it repeated, you’ll need to ask for it to be repeated. The panel members cannot explain the question or
provide a portion of the question. They will be required to read the question in its entirety. After you
have completed all interview questions and left the room, the panel will discuss your performance and
provide a rating for each question.
Panel Members - Your performance during the interview process will be evaluated by a panel of staff
members, who are acquainted with the essential duties, skills and abilities of a Correctional Officer. All
members underwent a training seminar before participating in the oral interview process. You can
therefore be confident that these panel members will be fair and competent judges of your abilities.
Areas of Measurement - The oral interview is designed to assess the most critical job-related skills and
abilities. Some of the dimensions that may be assessed in the oral assessment include the following:
interpersonal skills, teamwork, judgment, problem-solving, integrity, community orientation, stress
tolerance, information obtained through your background investigation, and flexibility. Although some
questions will require you to respond to hypothetical scenarios, at no time will you be assessed on your
knowledge of department procedures, or any other specific job knowledge.
Preparation - Here are a few steps you can take to prepare for the structured oral interview:
• Practice listening to scenario-based questions with multiple parts and record yourself answering the
question. Review the recordings and assess your performance accordingly.
• Watch yourself practice your responses in the mirror. Identify any distracting mannerisms and try to
correct and/or bring them under control.
Typical questions asked by the panel are listed below:
1. Why do you want to be a Correctional Officer?
2. What are your strengths and what are your weaknesses?
3. What did you think of the Facility Tour?
The above questions allow the panel to gauge an applicant’s personal characteristics, oral communication
skills, and the ability to respond decisively and effectively to situations. The panel will develop
questions based on the applicant’s background investigation and criminal records check. All applicants
are encouraged to be honest and forthright throughout the entire screening process. Applicants that do
not honestly answer the panel’s questions or do not fully disclose information and details regarding their
work history, criminal record or issues contained in their background will not pass the final board.
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Suggestions for Responding to the Oral Interview Questions
• Familiarize yourself with the roles and responsibilities of the position. This will help you learn as
much as you can about the position and what will be expected of you. You may be asked questions
regarding how you will handle certain hypothetical situations that relate to the law enforcement
profession. Therefore, it is important to understand what duties you will be responsible for on the
job.
• Ask yourself the following questions: How will I handle problematic situations as a correctional
officer? How will I communicate information to others? What do I know about important issues
related to law enforcement? Where do I stand (and what justification do I have for my stance) on
critical issues in the field?
• After listening to the oral assessment question, take some time to formulate an organized response.
Do not be afraid to pause for a period to carefully consider your answer and to organize it in a way
that is meaningful and that will ultimately make sense to those individuals who are rating your
response. The more organized and well thought out your answers, the more favorably they will be
viewed by assessors.
• Answer the question as it is asked. It is common for candidates to answer a question other than the
one posed. Oral interviews are stressful, and it is not uncommon for a candidate to misunderstand or
misinterpret the question and then provide an answer that is completely off-base. Be sure to listen
carefully to the question and provide an answer for that specific question. Do not go outside the
bounds of the question or ramble on about unrelated issues.
• Provide a complete response to each question. It is common for a candidate to answer a question and
repeat the same answer over and over. Offer an answer that is complete but do not reiterate your
response multiple times. Keep your answer concise but ensure that you provide a comprehensive
response to the question that is posed.
• Ensure that you answer each question fully within the time limit.
• Speak clearly. Oral communication skills are obviously paramount. Oral communication is usually
rated independently of your answers to the individual questions. Thus, if you communicate poorly,
the assessors will not penalize you on your answers to each question. That said, the rating of oral
communication and presentation is an important element of the overall oral interview process.
Convey a professional demeanor by speaking clearly and demonstrating good posture and
appearance. Good communication skills will only accentuate your response to a question.
• Provide an honest answer to each question and be yourself throughout the interview.
• After a question is read, a stopwatch may be started. Thus, you will have a certain, predetermined
time in which to respond to a question.
• In many cases, you will not be allowed to ask for clarification regarding a question, and the assessors
will usually not ask you to clarify an answer that is incomplete or confusing. Therefore, you must be
prepared to answer the questions to the best of your ability with only the information given to you in
the question.
Assessment-Day Instructions and Tips - The following are instructions and advice that will help you
on the day of the assessment:
• Be on time for the interview. Allow yourself plenty of time to get to the site as this will give you one
less thing to worry about.
• Do not bring cellular phones into the interview. They will only distract you.
• Bring photo identification.
• Dispose of any gum, candy or mints. You do not want this to interfere with your speech or cause an
unnecessary distraction.
• Dress and prepare appropriately for this opportunity. Treat it as you would a formal job interview.
• It is natural to be nervous. Be sure to keep a positive attitude and an open mind as you progress
through the interview, so assessors can see you perform to the best of your ability.
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Security/Integrity Issues - You will be competing with several other candidates for the position. Any
information you divulge about the structure of the assessment, specific questions or otherwise will
provide another candidate with an unfair advantage—in addition, this may be a violation of policy. Keep
the content and structure of the oral assessment confidential. By participating in this process, you
implicitly agree not to divulge information about the nature of the questions nor the way they are
administered. A panel of four or five diverse members of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections
conducts this interview. The Director or his/her designee chairs the interview panel. Before each
applicant is interviewed they are required to tour a secure facility, which will become a topic of
questioning during the final interview.
7. Grooming/Personal Appearance: The U.S. Department of Labor has conducted extensive research in
employment interviewing and they have concluded that:
a. A well-groomed professional appearance by job applicants, helps them to make a positive
impact on interview panels.
b. A confident demeanor and complete honesty always helps the applicant.
8. Resources - There are a variety of publications, available at your local bookstore, public library or by
searching the Internet, which can further assist in your preparations for the entrance examinations and job
interviews. Partial lists of these publications/websites are detailed below:
Written Examination Preparation
Title Author Publisher Date
Correctional Officer Norman Hall Adam Media Corp 2005
Examination Preparation Book
Barron’s Correction Officer Exam Donald Schroeder Barrows Educational 2014
Series
Master The Corrections Peterson’s Petersons 2010
Officer Exam
Interview Skill Website Reference
Correction Officer Interview Questions www.mockquestions.com
9. Academy Sponsored Information Sessions - After reviewing this guide, you may still have questions
about the application process, examinations, the pre-service training program or working as a
correctional officer. To address these questions, the Training Academy is offering informational sessions
throughout the application period. The information sessions, which will be held at the Rhode Island
Department of Corrections Training Academy, will include the following:
a. Mission of the Rhode Island Department of Corrections
b. Corrections Philosophy
c. Correctional Officer’s Duties
d. The Application Process
e. Written examination
f. Physical Agility Test
Any applicant who fails to successfully complete the applicant selection process is encouraged to reapply
for future Rhode Island Department of Corrections Recruit classes.