NCJ Number
134814
Journal
Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency Volume: 28 Issue: 4 Dated: (November 1991) Pages: 472-500
Date Published
1991
Length
29 pages
Annotation
The effects of race and gender on the work experiences and professional orientations of correctional officers in a southern correctional system were examined on the basis of a survey of 155 front-line staff in a southern correctional system.
Abstract
In addition to the main effect, the interaction between measures of years of experience, work shift, maximum security assignment, and peer and supervisory support was studied as well as the effect of age and education. Bivariate and multivariate analysis of the data demonstrated several racial effects, but gender only impacted on supervisory support. Women as well as blacks reported higher supervisory support then did men. However, blacks reported greater perception of dangerousness and job dissatisfaction and were more likely to be oriented to the notion of rehabilitation. Two organizational correlates were found. Maximum security adversely affected staff perception of danger and work stress, but positively affected the perceptions of peer support; whereas, night shift influenced workers to express a custody rather than a treatment orientation to their work. Upon controlling for supervisory and peer support, the race and gender effects become much more evident. Specifically, blacks are more likely to perceive the work as dangerous and dissatisfying, and women are more likely to experience more stress. Interaction analysis revealed an interaction between race and peer support and between race and gender regarding perceptions of danger. 5 tables, 5 notes, and 54 references (Author abstract modified)