Prison Officer
OFO Code: 541301
Last checked 3 October 2026
1. Occupation identity
- OFO code
- 541301
- Occupation
- Prison Officer
- Classification
- OFO 2021
- Major group
- SERVICE AND SALES WORKERS
- Unit group
- 5413 · Prison Guards
Official description
Prison guards watch over and maintain order among inmates of prisons, reformatories or penitentiaries.
More official OFO detail
Specialisations: Gaoler, Correctional Officer, Custodial Officer, Correction Facility Worker, Correctional Centre Coordinator, Cell Block Attendant, Prison Guard, Prison Warden, Custodial Services Officer
- Making periodic inspection tours of cells and inspecting and maintaining the security of locks, windows, doors and gates
- Escorting prisoners in transit and during temporary leaves
- Observing the conduct and behaviour of prisoners to prevent disturbances and escapes
- Patrolling prison areas to prevent escape
- Searching arriving prisoners, putting their valuables in safekeeping, escorting prisoners to cells and locking them in
- Supervising prisoners at work, meals, or during recreation periods
- Assisting with the implementation of rehabilitation programs
2. Demand status
Demand evidence not yet linked
This is an official OFO 2021 occupation. Demand status is separate evidence and is not inferred from inclusion in the OFO.
A national demand signal is not a promise of a vacancy in your town.
3. Salary evidence
No sourced salary record has been ingested for this OFO code yet.
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5. Qualification
Qualification evidence pending.
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7. Industry, sector and provincial context
National occupation classification. Industry and provincial context are shown only where a separate official source supports the link.
No source-backed modern OFO↔SIC 7 industry link has been ingested for this occupation yet. PathLens does not infer one from the job title.
Browse the official South African industry classification →8. Next steps — official links
9. Decision tools
10. Sources for this page
- DHET Organising Framework for Occupations (OFO 2021) · Planned
- DHET Occupations in High Demand · Planned
- Critical Skills List · Planned
- QCTO qualifications and occupational certificates · Planned
- Stats SA Quarterly Labour Force Survey · Planned
- SETA Sector Skills Plans / hard-to-fill vacancy tables · Planned