Correction Treatment Specialist Career Profile

After a criminal sentence, the incarcerated individual can start on a new path, ideally free from recidivism and focused on successful reintegration into society. However, this can be difficult for incarcerated individuals to navigate on their own. Professional and personal support can help guide these individuals to move more smoothly into the world after incarceration.

The correctional treatment specialist can provide necessary guidance to previously incarcerated individuals during this process. They can provide holistic support to help individuals transition from prison to society. Individuals looking to enter this important career should learn more about what it entails and how to become one. They should also understand the educational steps to become a correctional treatment specialist, including earning an undergraduate degree in criminal justice, such as the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (BSCJ) from App State Online.

Correctional Treatment Specialist at a Glance

A correctional treatment specialist develops rehabilitation strategies for parolees or individuals on probation who are reintegrating into society. They build these strategies by evaluating individual needs and identifying potential factors that may hinder reintegration, such as the following:

Behavioral issues
Substance use
Mental health conditions

Correctional treatment specialists typically collaborate with professionals in other areas of expertise, such as psychologists, social workers and parole officers, to execute these strategies effectively. They also monitor individual progress for effectiveness, recommending adjustments to their strategy to maintain progress. They commonly take active roles in further preparing formerly incarcerated people for postprison life through training and education programs.

A correctional treatment specialist typically works in correctional facilities or with social assistance-based community programs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the more common work environments for these professionals are as follows:

State government, except education and hospitals (53%)
Local government, except education and hospitals (44%)
Social assistance (2%)

How to Become a Correctional Treatment Specialist

Those who want to become correctional treatment specialists can explore the steps below.

Earn a Degree

The first step toward becoming a correctional treatment specialist involves earning a degree. The common educational foundation for the role is to earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field, such as social work or psychology, or a social sciences degree, such as sociology.

Complete Relevant Training

In addition to the educational requirements, prospective correctional treatment specialists must complete a government-sponsored training program to demonstrate that their criminal justice skills and knowledge are suitable for the role.

For example, these professionals should possess strong interpersonal and communication skills, since both are essential to building a trusted rapport with the individuals they’ll work with. They must also have strong analytical and problem-solving skills to assess vulnerabilities in a treatment strategy. Since correctional treatment specialists commonly work with multiple individuals at the same time, they must also have strong organizational competencies.

Training requirements for the correction treatment specialist can vary from state to state, so individuals need to familiarize themselves with these requirements prior to pursuing the role. In some cases, individuals can train in specific areas, such as substance use or counseling. This may allow them to specialize in assisting certain types of cases.

Correctional Treatment Specialist Salary and Job Outlook

According to the BLS, the 2024 median annual salary for a correctional treatment specialist was $64,520. Several factors may affect salary figures, such as education level and years of experience.

Work environments can also affect salary figures. The BLS notes that correctional treatment specialists working for local governments earned a median annual salary of $68,740 and those working for state governments earned a median annual salary of $63,960. In addition to the work environment, job location may also be a determining factor. Someone working in a city or region with a high cost of living may earn more than a person working in a city or region with a low cost of living.

The BLS projects career opportunities as a correctional treatment specialist to remain steady, with 4% growth projected for the position between 2023 and 2033, consistent with its general job growth projections.

Make a Unique Impact on Others

The goal of a correctional treatment specialist is much more than helping formerly incarcerated individuals avoid recidivism. Their work can be instrumental in helping formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into society and support their work toward success.

The App State Online BSCJ Flight Path Program can help you develop the acumen you need to excel in this important role. Our program emphasizes the development of leadership skills supported by strong interpersonal, problem-solving and communication competencies. This allows you to transform your knowledge into holistic, actionable strategies that address the socioeconomic and behavioral impacts of criminal activity and support formerly incarcerated individuals.

Learn how completing your degree at App State Online can prepare you to become an impactful professional in criminal justice and corrections.

Recommended Readings

Forensic Science Technician: Salary and Overview

A Look at Criminal Justice Investigators: Salary and More

What Is a Criminal Justice Degree?

Sources:

My Next Move, Probation Officers & Correctional Treatment Specialists

National Association of Social Workers Wisconsin Chapter, Correctional Treatment Specialist Overview

National Institute of Justice, Recidivism

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists

U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Correctional Treatment Specialist 0101