By: Kendall Upton
Updated: January 22, 2026
Related Degrees & Careers
- Associate in Human Services
- Associate in Social Work
- Associate in Counseling
- Becoming a Social Worker
- Becoming a Social Psychologist
- Becoming a Human Services Worker
- Becoming a Prison Psychologist
Advancing Your Career
Learn how to become a correctional treatment specialist
Correctional treatment specialists are vital components of the corrections system that take on a mixture of administrative and clinical responsibilities. Part case manager and part counselor, they work with inmates to come up with viable treatment and release plans. There are a few different types of correctional treatment specialists, meaning the path to become a correctional treatment specialist can take many shapes that all begin with an educational foundation in the behavioral and social sciences.
Although the healthcare standards set forth by the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC) state that mental health services should be available to all inmates that require them, data indicates that this doesn’t always happen. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports that about three in five people (63%) with a history of mental illness do not receive mental health treatment while incarcerated in state and federal prisons, and less than half of people (45%) with a history of mental illness receive mental health treatment while held in local jails. There is a great need, therefore, for qualified mental healthcare professionals like correctional treatment specialists to help close this gap within the corrections system.
In This Article
What are correctional treatment specialists?
Correctional treatment specialists—which may also be referred to as correctional case managers or correctional counselors—work with incarcerated individuals to develop rehabilitation and release plans. Depending on their job scope and credentials, they may be involved with administering the treatment plans designed to help people manage their mental health challenges and reduce their probability of recidivism upon release. They often work alongside other professionals like probation and parole officers, judges, attorneys and the inmate’s healthcare team, which may include more advanced mental health professionals like clinical psychologists and psychiatrists.
Depending on their job scope and credentials, they may be involved with administering the treatment plans designed to help people manage their mental health challenges and reduce their probability of recidivism upon release.
5 steps to becoming a correctional treatment specialist
Earn a bachelor’s degree.
You can expect most correctional treatment specialist roles to require candidates to have a bachelor’s degree with sufficient credits in the behavioral and social sciences. Consider earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, social work or something similar to set yourself up for success.
Consider earning a graduate degree.
Although it may not be explicitly required for all correctional mental health jobs, a graduate degree in psychology or counseling could make you a much more competitive job candidate. The experience gained in a master’s degree program can also help prepare you for the demands of the job by providing hands-on clinical experience working with real clients, which is part of most graduate counseling programs.
Gain experience in the field.
Most correctional treatment specialist roles prefer or require candidates that already have some experience counseling groups or individuals, preparing treatment plans and more. In many cases, graduate-level clinical practice can satisfy the experience requirements.
Apply for jobs.
With the right combination of education and experience, you may be ready to start applying for correctional treatment specialist roles. Checking online job boards for federal and state prisons is a good place to start.
Consider getting licensed and / or certified.
Professional credentials could make it even easier to qualify for jobs down the road and expand the number of jobs available to you. Getting licensed as a mental health counselor, clinical social worker or something similar are options, as well as professional certifications like the Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) through the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC).
Education needed to become a correctional treatment specialist
The requirements for becoming a correctional treatment specialist are naturally going to vary a bit depending on each specific position and employer. However, there are some general standards you should expect to satisfy if you want to get a job in the field of correctional mental health.
First and foremost, earning a bachelor’s degree is necessary. As a role that has a foot in several disciplines, correctional treatment specialists could benefit from a bachelor’s degree in the following:
- Psychology
- Social work
- Criminal justice
- Sociology
- Counseling
If you want to go the extra mile, you could even double major or minor in two or more subjects. The bottom line is you’ll need to have taken enough credits in the behavioral and social sciences—a bachelor’s degree in biology or computer science, therefore, may not quite cut it and would probably need to be followed by a more relevant graduate degree. Job postings for some correctional treatment specialists for the federal Bureau of Prisons, for example, have specified that candidates must have at least 24 semester hours of coursework in the behavioral and social sciences.
Graduate education
Correctional treatment specialists that work with inmates with more advanced mental health challenges often must have some experience already. Employers are usually looking for candidates that have experience performing evaluations, counseling individuals and groups, creating and documenting treatment plans and the like.
While it might be possible to get this experience following a bachelor’s degree, you’re most likely to need a master’s degree in psychology, counseling, social work, criminal justice or something similar to get the kind of clinical know-how and hands-on practice needed to see successful outcomes in your role.
Some even more advanced correctional treatment specialist positions that involve working with special populations and/or the severely mentally ill may require doctoral level education as well.
Licensure
There is no license for correctional treatment specialists specifically, and jobs don’t generally require you to have any sort of professional license to qualify. However, someone licensed by their state as a mental health counselor, clinical social worker, substance use disorder professional or something similar likely has the right education and experience to move into correctional mental health. Having these kinds of professional credentials might even make you an especially attractive job candidate.
What being a correctional treatment specialist is all about
The exact nature of the role of a correctional treatment specialist can vary a bit depending on where they work, the resources available to them, their credentials and more. However, there are some commonalities.
Many correctional treatment specialists function as case managers. That means they oversee an inmate’s case, counseling them to get a sense of what kinds of resources they need within prison and once they are out in order to come up with a viable release plan. Although they don’t ultimately decide when and if an inmate is released, their reports are used as supporting evidence by the people that do.
Some specialized correctional treatment specialists, on the other hand, have a role that includes more mental healthcare than case management alone. Whereas case managers may help determine the kind of mental healthcare an inmate needs, these correctional treatment specialists may actually be doing the counseling and psychotherapy to help inmates overcome their mental health challenges. That said, inmates with more severe mental health issues are generally overseen by advanced professionals like psychologists and/or psychiatrists.
Job responsibilities
Some of the job duties many correctional treatment specialists have include:
- Conduct group and individual counseling sessions to help inmates with release planning, parole (if applicable) and orienting to incarceration
- Administer questionnaires and conduct interviews to gather information about the inmate
- Recommend treatment plans depending on the unique needs of the inmate
- Apply treatment techniques to help inmates overcome psychological problems and/or drug addictions (if job scope allows)
- Act as a liaison with other units and employees on matters relating to the inmate’s behavior
- Coordinate with relevant parties—such as parole officers, judges, attorneys and more—concerning the inmate’s case, including to help determine an inmate’s fitness for release
- Work with inmates to prepare for life after their sentence, including improving their interpersonal communication skills and connecting them with community resources to reintegrate into society
Specializations
Correctional treatment specialist positions often have a specialization that may entail working with people experiencing a specific type of mental health issue. These positions may require you to have some additional education and/or experience to qualify, like having taken some college courses in that area or having prior professional experience working with these populations.
Common specializations include:
- Substance abuse correctional treatment specialist: Work with inmates that have substance use disorders to help them overcome their addictions.
- Trauma treatment specialist: Utilize a trauma-informed approach to support the mental health goals of inmates that have experienced trauma.
- Sex offender treatment specialist: Administer treatment interventions to inmates that have displayed sexually problematic behavior to prevent repeat offenses upon release.
- Case management correctional treatment specialist: Focus on helping offenders come up with a release plan and connect them with the resources necessary to successfully reintegrate into society.
Where you can work
Correctional treatment specialists work in federal, state and local correctional facilities.
State prisons typically house offenders that have violated state laws. This usually means they tend to have more violent criminals that committed homicide, rape, theft, assault and more. Federal prisons, on the other hand, house offenders that have violated federal laws against things like drug trafficking, child pornography, bank robberies, money laundering and other “white collar” crimes.
There are several tiers of state and federal prisons which are defined by their level of security. The type of prison you work at will naturally impact the population of inmates you work with. There are many more state prisons (over 1,500) nationwide than federal prisons (122), so there may be more job opportunities in those kinds of institutions.
Skills you need
As someone working in correctional mental health, all correctional treatment specialists need strong communications skills and knowledge of relevant mental health best practices. While you can learn a lot of this throughout your education (especially at the graduate level), it’s important to be aware of some of the more innate skills needed to thrive in this role.
When hired as a correctional treatment specialist, you can also also expect a substantial orientation period where you’ll learn how your employer runs things, the resources available to you and how to keep yourself safe on the job.
| Soft skills | Hard skills |
|---|---|
| Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communications skills | Knowledge of how to conduct group and/or individual counseling sessions |
| Empathy and compassion | Understanding of psychological principles and human behavior |
| Open-minded and nonjudgmental | Knowledge of best practices in psychological treatment methods and techniques |
| Ability to work efficiently with time and resources available | Awareness of social services available to incarcerated individuals |
Making yourself stand out in the field
If you want a sustainable career that continues to move forward, it’s important that you engage with the field of corrections (and correctional mental health more specifically) so that you keep learning and improving. Participating in continuing education opportunities, attending industry events and networking with others in your field are paramount to the success of any corrections or mental health professional. Getting certified and joining professional organizations are just two ways to get started.
If you want a sustainable career that continues to move forward, it’s important that you engage with the field of corrections (and correctional mental health more specifically) so that you keep learning and improving.
Get certified
Having a certification may not be required, but it can elevate your credibility and demonstrate your commitment to the field of mental healthcare. This could potentially make it easier to qualify for better, more advanced jobs throughout your career.
There are several certifications that correctional treatment specialists might benefit from, all of which have their own unique eligibility requirements and certification process:
- Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CMHCC) from the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
- National Certified Addiction Counselor (NCAC) from the National Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (NCCAP)
- Correctional Behavioral Health Certification – Behavioral Specialty (CBHC-BS) from the American Correctional Association (ACA)
- Certified Correctional Health Professional – Mental Health (CCHP-MH) from the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC)
Professional organizations to join along the way
There are a lot of professional organizations within the field of corrections, but there are a few notable ones that might be especially useful for correctional treatment specialists:
- National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC): The NCCHC isn’t a membership organization, but they are a leader in the field devoted to improving correctional healthcare, including mental healthcare. They also offer certification for qualified, licensed mental health care professionals working in correctional settings.
- American Correctional Association (ACA): The ACA is the oldest professional membership organization for corrections professionals. The ACA has a wide range of resources including networking and professional development opportunities.
- National Institute of Corrections (NIC): This federal agency provides specialized training and resources to corrections professionals nationwide.
How much do correctional treatment specialists make?
According to the 2023 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is $64,520. Salaries can range significantly depending on numerous factors, including education, years of experience, location and more. In fact, the BLS states that the bottom 10% of this group earned $45,390 while the top 10% earned $106,290, demonstrating a wide range of earning potential.
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
10%$45,390
25%$52,580
50%$64,520Median
75%$84,030
90%$106,290
Median Hourly Wage$31
Job growth2.6%
Total Employment86,820
| State | Median Salary | Bottom 10% | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $58,390 | $40,450 | $78,540 |
| Alaska | $73,570 | $53,460 | $112,430 |
| Arizona | $60,250 | $45,790 | $76,750 |
| Arkansas | $48,970 | $39,680 | $59,220 |
| California | $107,050 | $66,840 | $139,550 |
| Colorado | $66,770 | $53,550 | $94,930 |
| Connecticut | $94,600 | $54,890 | $120,480 |
| Delaware | $75,810 | $54,670 | $94,440 |
| District of Columbia | $68,750 | $54,880 | $93,310 |
| Florida | $50,540 | $37,750 | $64,800 |
| Georgia | $54,490 | $43,430 | $66,950 |
| Hawaii | $71,330 | $56,270 | $93,830 |
| Idaho | $58,950 | $47,860 | $76,770 |
| Illinois | $70,350 | $50,160 | $106,290 |
| Indiana | $60,920 | $43,360 | $85,620 |
| Iowa | $78,640 | $55,920 | $98,170 |
| Kansas | $56,120 | $47,750 | $73,200 |
| Kentucky | $55,910 | $52,490 | $66,990 |
| Louisiana | $59,010 | $41,340 | $77,240 |
| Maine | $69,060 | $50,360 | $69,060 |
| Maryland | $72,770 | $55,300 | $91,730 |
| Massachusetts | $90,700 | $58,390 | $105,250 |
| Michigan | $79,230 | $56,710 | $81,430 |
| Minnesota | $79,510 | $59,390 | $102,510 |
| Mississippi | $32,500 | $22,880 | $47,310 |
| Missouri | $45,390 | $42,420 | $51,080 |
| Montana | $49,140 | $46,440 | $74,000 |
| Nebraska | $61,510 | $43,280 | $78,250 |
| Nevada | $71,840 | $48,860 | $94,600 |
| New Jersey | $77,810 | $50,450 | $104,140 |
| New Mexico | $63,500 | $54,330 | $83,720 |
| New York | $80,060 | $54,110 | $99,880 |
| North Carolina | $60,410 | $44,090 | $72,990 |
| North Dakota | $64,860 | $55,760 | $81,030 |
| Ohio | $60,090 | $46,180 | $77,750 |
| Oklahoma | $50,380 | $38,310 | $62,980 |
| Oregon | $82,970 | $61,730 | $101,590 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,510 | $47,940 | $87,910 |
| South Carolina | $56,090 | $51,990 | $82,850 |
| Tennessee | $58,010 | $44,070 | $69,470 |
| Texas | $51,900 | $42,060 | $73,380 |
| Utah | $74,860 | $50,210 | $94,870 |
| Vermont | $74,130 | $59,800 | $87,650 |
| Virginia | $57,010 | $44,970 | $75,200 |
| Washington | $79,800 | $66,160 | $101,220 |
| West Virginia | $50,220 | $35,910 | $68,360 |
| Wisconsin | $60,470 | $45,880 | $67,560 |
| Wyoming | $56,940 | $56,420 | $76,640 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2024 median salary; projected job growth through 2034. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.
Job outlook
Although the growth projections for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists through 2034 is in line with the national average across all occupations (2.6%), opportunities may continue to grow as governments continue to recognize the importance of mental healthcare in correctional facilities. By getting inmates the mental healthcare they need and making sure they have proper healthcare once released, it can help reduce the chances that they’ll reoffend and return to prison, which puts even more financial strain on the system.
Unfortunately, data from NAMI indicates that many inmates don’t get the mental healthcare that they need while incarcerated, so there is a systemic demand to create more correctional treatment specialist positions and similar roles.
Final thoughts
Though it can be tough working daily with incarcerated people, correctional treatment specialists have the chance to make a lasting impact that helps turn peoples’ lives around and keep their communities safer overall. Whether they are counseling inmates with drug use disorders or helping someone plan what to do next once they’re released, they’re helping people reintegrate into society and hopefully keep them out of the correctional system for good.
Being a correctional treatment specialist requires that you have a fair amount of relevant education, however. With a bachelor’s degree at minimum, many people in this role also have master’s degrees in psychology, counseling or something similar so that they know how to work with individuals in a way that gets results. Start searching for programs today so you can learn how to make an indispensable contribution to the field of correctional mental health.