TEXAS CORRECTIONS OFFICER
LICENSING EXAM – PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the primary duty of a corrections
officer?
A. Conducting criminal investigations
B. Supervising offenders in a correctional facility
C. Passing legislation related to corrections
D. Representing inmates in court
Answer: B. Supervising offenders in a correctional facility
Rationale: The primary duty of a corrections officer is to
maintain order and supervise offenders in jails, prisons, or
detention facilities.
2. Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects
inmates from cruel and unusual punishment?
A. First Amendment
B. Eighth Amendment
C. Fifth Amendment
D. Tenth Amendment
,Answer: B. Eighth Amendment
Rationale: The Eighth Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual
punishment, which applies to correctional facilities.
3. What is the most important factor in preventing inmate
violence?
A. Length of sentence
B. Staff supervision and communication
C. Inmate visitation privileges
D. Facility architecture
Answer: B. Staff supervision and communication
Rationale: Active supervision and clear communication by staff
reduce opportunities for violence and maintain safety.
4. What does “contraband” refer to in a correctional facility?
A. Authorized personal items
B. Items that are illegal or prohibited for inmates
C. Clothing issued by the facility
D. Legal documents for inmates
Answer: B. Items that are illegal or prohibited for inmates
Rationale: Contraband includes items that pose a risk to
security, such as weapons, drugs, or unauthorized electronics.
5. Which behavior is considered unprofessional for a
corrections officer?
A. Maintaining clear records
B. Using excessive force
,C. Following chain of command
D. Participating in training
Answer: B. Using excessive force
Rationale: Corrections officers must use force only when
necessary and proportionate; excessive force is unprofessional
and illegal.
6. What is the primary purpose of inmate classification?
A. To punish inmates
B. To assign inmates to appropriate custody levels and programs
C. To reduce the number of staff
D. To increase inmate visitation
Answer: B. To assign inmates to appropriate custody levels
and programs
Rationale: Classification ensures the safety of staff and
inmates by placing offenders in suitable housing and program
assignments.
7. What is the primary method for preventing the spread of
infectious diseases in a correctional facility?
A. Limiting recreation time
B. Proper hygiene and sanitation practices
C. Reducing inmate meals
D. Increasing inmate work hours
, Answer: B. Proper hygiene and sanitation practices
Rationale: Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene prevents
disease outbreaks in confined populations.
8. Which type of search is conducted when an officer has
reasonable suspicion of contraband?
A. Routine pat-down
B. Random cell inspection
C. Probable cause search
D. Strip search
Answer: C. Probable cause search
Rationale: Searches conducted based on reasonable suspicion
or probable cause are legally permissible and aimed at finding
contraband.
9. How should a corrections officer respond to an inmate
medical emergency?
A. Ignore it unless it’s life-threatening
B. Immediately summon medical personnel
C. Wait for a supervisor to respond
D. Escort the inmate to another cell first
Answer: B. Immediately summon medical personnel
Rationale: Promptly contacting medical staff ensures the
inmate receives timely and appropriate care.
10. What is the most effective way to communicate with a
hostile inmate?
LICENSING EXAM – PRACTICE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. Which of the following is the primary duty of a corrections
officer?
A. Conducting criminal investigations
B. Supervising offenders in a correctional facility
C. Passing legislation related to corrections
D. Representing inmates in court
Answer: B. Supervising offenders in a correctional facility
Rationale: The primary duty of a corrections officer is to
maintain order and supervise offenders in jails, prisons, or
detention facilities.
2. Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects
inmates from cruel and unusual punishment?
A. First Amendment
B. Eighth Amendment
C. Fifth Amendment
D. Tenth Amendment
,Answer: B. Eighth Amendment
Rationale: The Eighth Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual
punishment, which applies to correctional facilities.
3. What is the most important factor in preventing inmate
violence?
A. Length of sentence
B. Staff supervision and communication
C. Inmate visitation privileges
D. Facility architecture
Answer: B. Staff supervision and communication
Rationale: Active supervision and clear communication by staff
reduce opportunities for violence and maintain safety.
4. What does “contraband” refer to in a correctional facility?
A. Authorized personal items
B. Items that are illegal or prohibited for inmates
C. Clothing issued by the facility
D. Legal documents for inmates
Answer: B. Items that are illegal or prohibited for inmates
Rationale: Contraband includes items that pose a risk to
security, such as weapons, drugs, or unauthorized electronics.
5. Which behavior is considered unprofessional for a
corrections officer?
A. Maintaining clear records
B. Using excessive force
,C. Following chain of command
D. Participating in training
Answer: B. Using excessive force
Rationale: Corrections officers must use force only when
necessary and proportionate; excessive force is unprofessional
and illegal.
6. What is the primary purpose of inmate classification?
A. To punish inmates
B. To assign inmates to appropriate custody levels and programs
C. To reduce the number of staff
D. To increase inmate visitation
Answer: B. To assign inmates to appropriate custody levels
and programs
Rationale: Classification ensures the safety of staff and
inmates by placing offenders in suitable housing and program
assignments.
7. What is the primary method for preventing the spread of
infectious diseases in a correctional facility?
A. Limiting recreation time
B. Proper hygiene and sanitation practices
C. Reducing inmate meals
D. Increasing inmate work hours
, Answer: B. Proper hygiene and sanitation practices
Rationale: Maintaining cleanliness and hygiene prevents
disease outbreaks in confined populations.
8. Which type of search is conducted when an officer has
reasonable suspicion of contraband?
A. Routine pat-down
B. Random cell inspection
C. Probable cause search
D. Strip search
Answer: C. Probable cause search
Rationale: Searches conducted based on reasonable suspicion
or probable cause are legally permissible and aimed at finding
contraband.
9. How should a corrections officer respond to an inmate
medical emergency?
A. Ignore it unless it’s life-threatening
B. Immediately summon medical personnel
C. Wait for a supervisor to respond
D. Escort the inmate to another cell first
Answer: B. Immediately summon medical personnel
Rationale: Promptly contacting medical staff ensures the
inmate receives timely and appropriate care.
10. What is the most effective way to communicate with a
hostile inmate?
