How to Become a Prison Warden

Requirements for Becoming a Prison Warden

The managers and administrators of correctional facilities are known as prison wardens.  A prison warden’s career combines administration with law enforcement. You must enjoy working in corrections and rehabilitating convicted prisoners because the job itself is very demanding and will require you to wear and switch jobs hats quite often.   

• ! Earn a degree in criminology, criminal justice or psychology from an accredited college or university. Additional courses in administration, business and law are also helpful. Simply take a look at one of these top accreddited universities listed for your convenience at the bottom of this article.
• Like any professional job, experience is a must. Ideally, you'll want to be in some sort of management or administration in other jobs, even outside the law enforcement field.
• Start by becoming a corrections officer or probation officer and work your way up to warden. In some states, prison warden are appointed to the position, but in most you can work your way up as you would in any corporation.
• You can also start in law enforcement at any level. A background in law enforcement gives you a big advantage when working your way up to be a prison warden. Experience as a police officer, criminologist or investigator is very helpful.
• Prepare yourself mentally to wear many hats.

Select a Prison Warden Training Program