NCJ Number
97874
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 48 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1984) Pages: 54-65
Date Published
1984
Length
12 pages
Annotation
Many of the challenges facing female employees of all-male correctional facilities are described and analyzed; coping strategies are suggested.
Abstract
A number of inmate attitudes and expectations heavily influence inmates' interactions with female staff. These probably arise from inmates' prior experience with women, the woman's physical characteristics, and the woman's position/job title. Some of the images inmates hold about women are associated with such encultured sex-role stereotypes as the mother/daughter, peacemaker, rescuer, or bleeding heart. Other roles and images that women may convey are related to power issues in a society where female submission and male dominance are the norms. Personal insecurities about intelligence, being liked, and personal appearance and power may override professionalism and interfere with a woman's job performance. A number of the stereotypes inmates hold converge on sexuality. Attitudes held by the community, family, and spouse, likewise may impact on the woman's performance of her job. Once these attitudes and issues are acknowledged, they can be dealt with. A list of 13 coping strategies, designed to counteract these negative images and attitudes, is presented. Overall, women in the all-male workplace must conduct themselves with the highest degree of professionalism and competence. The presence of women on correctional staffs of all-male institutions provides inmates with positive images of women who exercise power and allows them to observe and interact with women in professional roles. The woman in a male correctional environment must realistically face ingrained attitudes of her male coworker and deal with them while maintaining her sense of self-worth and contribution to her chosen field. Provided are 13 references.