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NYC Correction Officer Exam Questions with Correct
Answers and explanations LATEST THIS YEAR -JUST
RELEASED
Summarized Exam Coverage (NYC Correction Officer Exam)
The exam tests memory, observation, judgment, ethics, emergency response, interpersonal
communication, report writing, facility procedures, inmate supervision, contraband detection, use of
force policy, suicide prevention, transportation protocols, fire safety, legal boundaries, and NYCDOC
rules.
1. While making morning rounds you find a prisoner crying in a fetal position and refusing to speak what
should be your first action?
A) Leave them alone to calm down
B) Notify mental health staff immediately
C) Order them to stand up
D) Write a disciplinary report
Answer: B – Emotional distress can escalate; mental health evaluation is priority.
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2. An inmate offers you $500 to sneak in a cell phone. What is the most appropriate response?
A) Take the money and ignore the request
B) Report the offer to your supervisor at once
C) Scold the inmate but keep it secret
D) Negotiate a higher amount
Answer: B – Bribery is a serious offense and must be reported immediately.
3. During a fire drill in a housing area several inmates refuse to move. How should you respond?
A) Physically drag them to safety
B) Note their IDs and submit a report after the drill
C) Call a Code 10 and evacuate others while staying with resisters
D) Leave them and finish the drill
Answer: C – Safety first; rescuers must not abandon non-compliant inmates but summon help.
4. You see two inmates fighting in the mess hall. One has a sharpened toothbrush. What do you do first?
A) Yell for them to stop
B) Activate an emergency alarm and give loud verbal commands
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C) Run directly between them
D) Wait for a sergeant to arrive
Answer: B – Alert others and assert control; direct intervention alone is dangerous.
5. An inmate claims another officer used racial slurs but you did not witness it. Which action is correct?
A) Dismiss the claim as unsubstantiated
B) Report the allegation through proper channels
C) Confront the accused officer yourself
D) Promise the inmate you will investigate quietly
Answer: B – All allegations of misconduct must be reported for investigation.
6. During count you find one extra inmate in a cell designed for two. What is the best immediate step?
A) Assume a miscount and recount in 30 minutes
B) Detain the extra inmate and verify identifications
C) Ignore it if everyone seems calm
D) Order all inmates to lie on the floor
Answer: B – Unknown inmate creates security risk; verify IDs and resolve discrepancy.
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7. A visitor tries to hand an inmate a sealed envelope. You suspect it contains drugs. What should you
do?
A) Open the envelope in front of both
B) Confiscate the envelope and refer for investigation
C) Allow it but note their names
D) Tell the visitor to come back tomorrow
Answer: B – Seized contraband must be handled per facility policy without unnecessary opening.
8. While searching a cell you find a detailed map of the facility with security post markings. What is the
greatest concern?
A) The inmate is artistic
B) Escape planning or assault coordination
C) A violation of library rules
D) Poor map drawing skills
Answer: B – Detailed security markings suggest hostile intent; escalate immediately.
NYC Correction Officer Exam Questions with Correct
Answers and explanations LATEST THIS YEAR -JUST
RELEASED
Summarized Exam Coverage (NYC Correction Officer Exam)
The exam tests memory, observation, judgment, ethics, emergency response, interpersonal
communication, report writing, facility procedures, inmate supervision, contraband detection, use of
force policy, suicide prevention, transportation protocols, fire safety, legal boundaries, and NYCDOC
rules.
1. While making morning rounds you find a prisoner crying in a fetal position and refusing to speak what
should be your first action?
A) Leave them alone to calm down
B) Notify mental health staff immediately
C) Order them to stand up
D) Write a disciplinary report
Answer: B – Emotional distress can escalate; mental health evaluation is priority.
, Page 2 of 111
2. An inmate offers you $500 to sneak in a cell phone. What is the most appropriate response?
A) Take the money and ignore the request
B) Report the offer to your supervisor at once
C) Scold the inmate but keep it secret
D) Negotiate a higher amount
Answer: B – Bribery is a serious offense and must be reported immediately.
3. During a fire drill in a housing area several inmates refuse to move. How should you respond?
A) Physically drag them to safety
B) Note their IDs and submit a report after the drill
C) Call a Code 10 and evacuate others while staying with resisters
D) Leave them and finish the drill
Answer: C – Safety first; rescuers must not abandon non-compliant inmates but summon help.
4. You see two inmates fighting in the mess hall. One has a sharpened toothbrush. What do you do first?
A) Yell for them to stop
B) Activate an emergency alarm and give loud verbal commands
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C) Run directly between them
D) Wait for a sergeant to arrive
Answer: B – Alert others and assert control; direct intervention alone is dangerous.
5. An inmate claims another officer used racial slurs but you did not witness it. Which action is correct?
A) Dismiss the claim as unsubstantiated
B) Report the allegation through proper channels
C) Confront the accused officer yourself
D) Promise the inmate you will investigate quietly
Answer: B – All allegations of misconduct must be reported for investigation.
6. During count you find one extra inmate in a cell designed for two. What is the best immediate step?
A) Assume a miscount and recount in 30 minutes
B) Detain the extra inmate and verify identifications
C) Ignore it if everyone seems calm
D) Order all inmates to lie on the floor
Answer: B – Unknown inmate creates security risk; verify IDs and resolve discrepancy.
, Page 4 of 111
7. A visitor tries to hand an inmate a sealed envelope. You suspect it contains drugs. What should you
do?
A) Open the envelope in front of both
B) Confiscate the envelope and refer for investigation
C) Allow it but note their names
D) Tell the visitor to come back tomorrow
Answer: B – Seized contraband must be handled per facility policy without unnecessary opening.
8. While searching a cell you find a detailed map of the facility with security post markings. What is the
greatest concern?
A) The inmate is artistic
B) Escape planning or assault coordination
C) A violation of library rules
D) Poor map drawing skills
Answer: B – Detailed security markings suggest hostile intent; escalate immediately.
