NCJ Number
225870
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior: An International Journal Volume: 36 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2009 Pages: 163-183
Date Published
February 2009
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This study examined and compared the predictors of job satisfaction, institutional commitment, and commitment to a prison system among three noncustody groups: psychological staff, teachers, and unit management personnel.
Abstract
Findings show that supervision and efficacy with inmates were positive and significant predictors of job satisfaction across all groups. Results supported past research in that work-related variables were a stronger influence on work outcomes than personal characteristics; of all variables, supervision made the most notable impact. Supervision is a major force in shaping prison staff attitudes and outcomes; supervision made a positive contribution on all three work outcomes for each noncustody group. Supervision had the strongest influence on organizational commitment in five of six models. This suggests that the behavior of individual managers contributes substantially to how the noncustody staff views the prison organization and the larger prison system. A second strong and consistent result was that staff members who felt more positive working with inmates were more satisfied and committed regardless of occupation; efficacy with inmates had the strongest impact on the job satisfaction of both teachers and unit management staff. Data were collected from 247 psychological staff, 263 teachers, and 588 unit management staff employed in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Tables, notes, and references