NCJ Number
155250
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior Volume: 22 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1995) Pages: 91-105
Date Published
1995
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study examined correctional officer views toward and attitudes about working with inmates who had AIDS; 153 correctional officers in three Texas prisons were administered the AIDS in Prison Scale, the AIDS Attitude Scale, an AIDS/HIV knowledge test, and a homophobia scale.
Abstract
Of the 310 correctional officers who received questionnaires, 153 (49 percent) responded. Of the 153 correctional officers, 81 percent were male, 60 percent were Caucasian, 31 percent were black, and 7 percent were Hispanic. Subjects, who ranged in age from 20 to 56 years, were told that the study focused on AIDS and AIDS-related information. Results showed that correctional officers who had more positive attitudes about people with AIDS, who were more knowledgeable about AIDS/HIV, and who were older were more likely to have positive views about inmates with AIDS/HIV. Most correctional officers expressed at least some concern about working with inmates who had AIDS. Consistent support was found among correctional officers for mandatory HIV testing and the segregation of HIV- positive inmates. Study findings suggest that educational programs focused on minimizing negative attitudes about persons with AIDS may help improve the conditions of HIV-infected inmates. 30 references, 1 note, and 2 tables