CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS AS COMPLEX ORGANIZATIONS (FROM SOCIOLOGY OF CORRECTIONS - A BOOK OF READINGS 1977, BY ROBERT G. LEGER AND JOHN R. STRATTON - SEE NCJ-41800)

• NCJ Number: 41801
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: John Wiley and Sons
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE HYPOTHESIS THAT ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS DETERMINE ORGANIZATIONAL PROCESSES IS EXAMINED BY EXPLORING THE PROCESSES OF TWO 'IDEAL' CONFINEMENT INSTITUTIONS: THE HIGH CUSTODY FACILITY AND THE TREATMENT FACILITY.

Abstract

SPECIFIC GOALS ARE GENERALLY ACCOMPANIED BY CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONAL FACTORS THAT ARE MOST EFFECTIVE IN ENSURING COMPLIANCE WITH THE OBJECTIVES OF THE INSTITUTION. THE HIGH CUSTODY PRISON, WHICH MAINTAINS ORDER GOALS, REQUIRES THE USE OF COERCIVE POWER FOR COMPLIANCE, ACCORDING TO THE AUTHOR. THERAPEUTIC INSTITUTIONS, WHOSE GOALS ARE CULTURAL IN NATURE, RELY ON THE USE OF SYMBOLIC REWARDS AND DEPRIVATIONS TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE. THE CONGRUENCE OF ORDER GOALS WITH COERCIVE POWER AND CULTURAL GOALS WITH SYMBOLIC OR NORMATIVE POWER PRODUCES INTERESTING QUALITATIVE DISCINCTIONS BETWEEN THE TWO TYPES OF INSTITUTIONS ON A VARIETY OF FACTORS. THESE DIFFERENCES ARE EXPLORED IN THIS ARTICLE. AMONG THE FACTORS CONSIDERED ARE COMMUNICATION STRUCTURE OF THE INSTITUTION, THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF SUBORDINATE GROUPS, ATTITUDES OF STAFF, AND THE NATURE OF SUPERORDINATE-SUBORDINATE RELATIONSHIPS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)...DMC