Correctional Officer Basic Training Practice Test

According to G.S. 148-20, what is unlawful for a security officer?

1. To provide first aid

2. To abuse their power

3. To allow visitors inside without screening

4. To fail to report an incident

The correct answer is: To abuse their power

The provision in G.S. 148-20 clearly emphasizes the responsibilities and limitations placed on security officers in a correctional facility. Abusing their power directly contradicts the ethical and professional standards expected of correctional staff. This abuse could manifest in various forms, such as using their authority to intimidate inmates or bypassing established procedures, ultimately undermining the safety and security of the institution. In contrast, providing first aid is generally within the scope of a security officer's duties, particularly in emergency situations. Allowing visitors inside without screening would compromise the facility's security protocols, but it focuses more on procedural error rather than an abuse of power. Failing to report an incident relates to accountability and transparency but again does not encapsulate the broader implications of exerting power inappropriately. Thus, the option regarding the abuse of power encapsulates the core legal and ethical violations that G.S. 148-20 seeks to prevent.