Federal Bureau of Prisons Essay

The Federal Bureau of Prisons was established in 1930. Its main goal is to provide humane care for Federal inmates. There are 11 Federal prisons in operation. The Bureau consists of 115 institutions, 6 regional offices, a Central Office (headquarters), 2 staff training centers, and 22 community corrections offices. The Bureau of Prisons career opportunities web page is the place where you can learn about BOP careers, the employment process and current vacancies. The BOP career opportunities web page has quick links to: application steps, attorney recruitment, career FAQs, health care careers, job descriptions and job vacancies. The Bureau has approximately 37,700 employees within 115 correctional institutions. The BOP is currently accepting applications for: Chaplain, Clinical Psychologist, Dental Officer, Medical Officer, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant and Registered Nurse. The jobs are accessible through USAJOBS. The bureau has approximately 37, 700 highly motivated individuals working in 115 correctional institutions across the country and a wide range of occupations. Job opportunities within the correctional facilities: automobile, painting, plumbing, carpentry, and electricity. They are always accepting applications for dental officer, medical officer, and registered nurse. Salaries are based on the position and location of the job you are selected to fill. The Law Enforcement Special Salary Rate and Locality pay scale may vary from the General Schedule and Locality pay scale. Salaries for positions such as Electrician, Mechanic, and Plumber, are found on the Federal Wage System pay scale. A variety of health insurance plans are available to Federal employees, with the Government paying about 60 to 72 percent of the cost and the employee paying 28 to 40 percent, depending on the health plan. Basic life insurance is automatic and effective on the first workday the employee is in pay and duty status, unless the employee chooses to waive life insurance coverage. Every employee is guaranteed a life insurance policy. The Government pays one-third of the cost for Basic life insurance. Basic life insurance is the employee’s salary rounded up. After 20 years of service in a position covered by â€Å"hazardous duty† law enforcement retirement provisions is eligible to retire at age 50. BOP has four different work life programs which makes it easier to balance work and family. These programs consist of teleworking, compressed, flexible, and part time work schedules. Under special, limited circumstances, inmates who meet strict requirements may be allowed temporary releases from the institution through furloughs and staff-escorted trips. A furlough allows inmates to be in the community without a staff escort. There are several purposes for furloughs: for example these enable inmates to be present during a family crisis, facilitate re-establishing family and community ties, and allow an inmate to participate in certain activities to help his/her release transition. The Bureau may authorize staff-escorted trips for purposes such as visiting a critically ill family member; attending a funeral; receiving medical treatment; or participating in educational, religious, or work-related functions. The Bureau’s philosophy is to release preparation begins the first day of incarceration, focus on release preparation intensifies at least 18 months prior to release. The Release Preparation Program includes classes in areas such as resume writing, job search, and job retention. The program also includes presentations by community-based organizations that help ex-inmates find jobs and training opportunities after release. The Bureau places appropriate inmates in halfway houses prior to release to help them adjust to life in the community and find employment. Some inmates will be eligible for a release gratuity, clothing, or money for transportation to their release destination. The Inmate Transition Branch provides additional pre-release employment assistance. Many institutions hold mock job fairs to provide inmates an opportunity to practice job interview skills and to expose community recruiters to the skills available among releasing inmates. Qualified inmates may apply for jobs with companies that have posted job openings. This Branch also helps inmates prepare release folders that include a resume; education certificates, diplomas, and transcripts; and other significant documents needed for a successful job interview. Medical, dental, and mental health services are provided to Federal inmates n Bureau facilities. Most Facilities provide one or more primary Physicians who specialize in family practice. Medical officer provide direct service to inmates in Federal prisons (e. g. performance of diagnostic and preventive). Nurses play an important role on patient health, patient safety and patient education. (e. g. observation and evaluation of patients, perform case histories, conduct physical examinations, and order laboratory tests). De ntal officers are responsible for the full range of dental care provided to inmates. Pharmacist provide pharmaceutical care, they are responsible for medication. (e. g. same as nurse). Over 3,000 health care positions are offered. The food service operation within each institution represents a major program area within the Federal Criminal Justice system. The Bureau offers a food service career for correctional cook supervisors in a fast pace and challenging environment. Cook supervisor receive full training and are responsible for serving nutritious meals and provides guidance/direction to inmate cooks, bakers, butchers as well as in sanitation. Meals are served to a population of several hundred to 2,000 per meal depending on size and type of facility. Completion of a 2 to 4 year culinary degree is desirable but qualifying experience in quantity production from the military or food hospital industry is acceptable. Even though cook supervisors are at the entry level position, ambitious and interested individuals can apply for higher positions to Assistant Food Service Manager to the top Food Service Administrator. Each federal prison has its own education department that provides educational and recreational activities to inmates. Inmates are encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle through physical fitness, health education and leisure programs. Inmates who participate in industries or vocational training programs are more likely to find and keep a job upon release and less likely to return to prison. The Bureau offers a variety of programs for inmates to acquire literacy and marketable skills to help them obtain employment after release. All institutions offer literacy classes, English as a Second Language, parenting classes, wellness education, adult continuing education, library services, and instruction in leisure-time ctivities. In most cases, inmates who do not have a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certificate must participate in the literacy program for a minimum of 240 hours or until they obtain the GED. Occupational and vocational training programs are based on the needs of the inmates, general labor market conditions, and institution labor force needs. An important component is on-the-job training, which inmates receive through institution job assignments and work in Federal Prison Industries. Parenting classes help inmates develop appropriate skills during incarceration. Recreation and wellness activities encourage healthy life styles and habits. Institution libraries carry a variety of fiction and nonfiction books, magazines, newspapers, and reference materials. Inmates also have access to legal materials to conduct legal research and prepare legal documents. The Bureau of Prisons has various job opportunities ranging from Automotive to electric and is always looking for professionals in the medical field. There are over 3,000 health care positions available ranging from Dental to nursing. While a job with the bureau of prisons maybe stressful it does offer benefits, such as retirement, paid holidays, flexibility room for growth and retirement options. Each federal prison has its own education department and inmates are encouraged to adopt a healthy lifestyle. It is often found that inmates who participate in industries or vocational training programs are more likely to find and keep a job upon release and less likely to return to prison.