NCJ Number
223482
Journal
The Prison Journal Volume: 88 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2008 Pages: 207-233
Date Published
June 2008
Length
27 pages
Annotation
Through survey data, this study explored perceptions of correctional staff on the important and primary goals for incarceration and factors influencing the endorsement of five correctional ideologies: rehabilitation, retribution, incapacitation, specific deterrence, and general deterrence.
Abstract
The research provides evidence of the importance of considering the beliefs and values of all correctional staff members when considering how institutions are managed and how staff may be expected to welcome, accept, or resist administrative changes concerning policies and practices inside of prisons. The analyses reveal that the ideological perspective that is seen as the most important for the operation of prisons is rehabilitation. All five ideologies (rehabilitation, retribution, incapacitation, specific deterrence, and general deterrence) are perceived as somewhat important, with rehabilitation receiving the strongest support. Demographic influences include female staff being more supportive of rehabilitation, administrators and program staff being most supportive of rehabilitation, and security staff providing the strongest support for retribution. Beliefs about the purpose and goals of incarceration are important determinants of how policymakers and practitioners perceive correctional operations. Drawing on survey data from 554 corrections staff persons in Kentucky, this research concerns itself with identifying the degree of support that all varieties of Kentucky correctional staff hold for the five major ideologies of corrections: rehabilitation, retribution, incapacitation, specific deterrence, and general deterrence. Tables, notes, and references