TDCJ Correctional Officer Exam Department of
Criminal Justice Exam Preparation Questions
And Answers With Explanation Already A+.
1. Which of the following is the primary responsibility of a correctional officer?
A) Making policy decisions
B) Supervising inmates and maintaining security
C) Drafting legal documents
D) Managing prison finances
Answer: B) Supervising inmates and maintaining security
Explanation: Correctional officers are responsible for maintaining safety and
security within correctional facilities, ensuring inmate compliance with rules,
and supervising daily activities.
2. When conducting a security check, which of the following is most important?
A) Checking only the cell doors
B) Observing inmate behavior, physical security, and potential hazards
C) Ignoring minor rule violations
D) Only counting inmates
Answer: B) Observing inmate behavior, physical security, and potential
hazards
Explanation: A thorough security check involves assessing the environment,
inmate behavior, and physical security measures.
3. Which of the following is considered a violation of inmate rights?
A) Allowing inmate visitation under supervision
B) Denying meals without a valid reason
C) Conducting searches according to policy
D) Providing medical care when needed
Answer: B) Denying meals without a valid reason
Explanation: Inmates have basic rights, including access to food, medical care,
and humane treatment. Denying meals arbitrarily violates those rights.
,4. What is the most effective way to defuse a tense situation with inmates?
A) Using physical force immediately
B) Maintaining calm, clear communication, and following procedures
C) Ignoring the situation
D) Threatening the inmates
Answer: B) Maintaining calm, clear communication, and following
procedures
Explanation: De-escalation through communication and calm presence is safer
and more effective than immediate force.
5. Contraband in a correctional facility includes:
A) Only weapons
B) Weapons, drugs, unauthorized electronic devices, and other prohibited items
C) Personal hygiene items
D) Uniforms
Answer: B) Weapons, drugs, unauthorized electronic devices, and other
prohibited items
Explanation: Contraband refers to any item prohibited by facility rules that can
pose a threat to security or safety.
6. Which of the following is a key factor in preventing inmate escapes?
A) Random searches and vigilance
B) Reducing staff presence
C) Ignoring minor rule violations
D) Allowing free movement of inmates
Answer: A) Random searches and vigilance
Explanation: Random searches, careful monitoring, and strict adherence to
security procedures help prevent escapes.
7. Which report should a correctional officer file immediately after witnessing an
inmate altercation?
A) A maintenance request
B) An incident report
, C) A routine activity log
D) A visitation schedule
Answer: B) An incident report
Explanation: Incident reports document events accurately and are critical for
administrative and legal purposes.
8. Inmate classification is based on:
A) Height and weight
B) Security risk, behavior, and rehabilitation needs
C) Personal preferences
D) Staff schedules
Answer: B) Security risk, behavior, and rehabilitation needs
Explanation: Classification ensures inmates are housed and managed according
to risk level and needs.
9. Which of the following is a prohibited form of discrimination against inmates?
A) Providing food according to diet needs
B) Housing inmates according to gender
C) Denying services based on race, religion, or disability
D) Supervising inmates according to security classification
Answer: C) Denying services based on race, religion, or disability
Explanation: Inmates must be treated fairly and equitably; discrimination is
illegal and against policy.
10. When responding to a medical emergency in a correctional facility, a correctional
officer should:
A) Wait for medical staff to arrive
B) Immediately provide first aid within their training and call medical staff
C) Ignore minor injuries
D) Punish the inmate
Answer: B) Immediately provide first aid within their training and call
medical staff
Explanation: Officers must act quickly to ensure inmate safety and follow
emergency protocols.
Criminal Justice Exam Preparation Questions
And Answers With Explanation Already A+.
1. Which of the following is the primary responsibility of a correctional officer?
A) Making policy decisions
B) Supervising inmates and maintaining security
C) Drafting legal documents
D) Managing prison finances
Answer: B) Supervising inmates and maintaining security
Explanation: Correctional officers are responsible for maintaining safety and
security within correctional facilities, ensuring inmate compliance with rules,
and supervising daily activities.
2. When conducting a security check, which of the following is most important?
A) Checking only the cell doors
B) Observing inmate behavior, physical security, and potential hazards
C) Ignoring minor rule violations
D) Only counting inmates
Answer: B) Observing inmate behavior, physical security, and potential
hazards
Explanation: A thorough security check involves assessing the environment,
inmate behavior, and physical security measures.
3. Which of the following is considered a violation of inmate rights?
A) Allowing inmate visitation under supervision
B) Denying meals without a valid reason
C) Conducting searches according to policy
D) Providing medical care when needed
Answer: B) Denying meals without a valid reason
Explanation: Inmates have basic rights, including access to food, medical care,
and humane treatment. Denying meals arbitrarily violates those rights.
,4. What is the most effective way to defuse a tense situation with inmates?
A) Using physical force immediately
B) Maintaining calm, clear communication, and following procedures
C) Ignoring the situation
D) Threatening the inmates
Answer: B) Maintaining calm, clear communication, and following
procedures
Explanation: De-escalation through communication and calm presence is safer
and more effective than immediate force.
5. Contraband in a correctional facility includes:
A) Only weapons
B) Weapons, drugs, unauthorized electronic devices, and other prohibited items
C) Personal hygiene items
D) Uniforms
Answer: B) Weapons, drugs, unauthorized electronic devices, and other
prohibited items
Explanation: Contraband refers to any item prohibited by facility rules that can
pose a threat to security or safety.
6. Which of the following is a key factor in preventing inmate escapes?
A) Random searches and vigilance
B) Reducing staff presence
C) Ignoring minor rule violations
D) Allowing free movement of inmates
Answer: A) Random searches and vigilance
Explanation: Random searches, careful monitoring, and strict adherence to
security procedures help prevent escapes.
7. Which report should a correctional officer file immediately after witnessing an
inmate altercation?
A) A maintenance request
B) An incident report
, C) A routine activity log
D) A visitation schedule
Answer: B) An incident report
Explanation: Incident reports document events accurately and are critical for
administrative and legal purposes.
8. Inmate classification is based on:
A) Height and weight
B) Security risk, behavior, and rehabilitation needs
C) Personal preferences
D) Staff schedules
Answer: B) Security risk, behavior, and rehabilitation needs
Explanation: Classification ensures inmates are housed and managed according
to risk level and needs.
9. Which of the following is a prohibited form of discrimination against inmates?
A) Providing food according to diet needs
B) Housing inmates according to gender
C) Denying services based on race, religion, or disability
D) Supervising inmates according to security classification
Answer: C) Denying services based on race, religion, or disability
Explanation: Inmates must be treated fairly and equitably; discrimination is
illegal and against policy.
10. When responding to a medical emergency in a correctional facility, a correctional
officer should:
A) Wait for medical staff to arrive
B) Immediately provide first aid within their training and call medical staff
C) Ignore minor injuries
D) Punish the inmate
Answer: B) Immediately provide first aid within their training and call
medical staff
Explanation: Officers must act quickly to ensure inmate safety and follow
emergency protocols.
