RE: Question about becoming a Correctional Officer.

Chris,

The requirements and process will differ between the various states and even the departments.

When you say correctional officer, have you considered the level you want to work at? You have federal, state, county, and in some areas even municipal prisons or jails. In addition, there are the private contract jails.

As for improving your chances, there is one thing that almost always works - education. The better educated you are (ged, diploma, college, etc.), the better your chances. From the way you wrote that you have no GED, I am assuming you dropped out of high school and do not have either a diploma or a GED. I strongly suggest going back to school and then starting college. It will strongly enhance your chances for almost any job you want.

As for the misdemeanor, you need to check the state requirements for licensing. Some will allow that level of criminal history and some will not.