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Hello Amy. I am assuming you mean a Correctional Officer in a state prison? If so, you will need either a High School diploma or a G.E.D. That is the minimum requirement to be hired. If you intend on being promoted or moving into another area of state service ( such as Case Manager, Unit Manager, Class Spec, etc), you will need at least an Associate's Degree. Once you are in the door, you can work and go to college in your off hours until you have your degree.
Once actually hired, you will attend a Corrections Training Academy for up to 7 weeks studying penal law as it applies to the job.
I hope this helps and you can find it useful
Source(s):
21 years as a Corrections Officer in a max prison