NCJ Number
138876
Journal
Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 20 Issue: 4 Dated: (1992) Pages: 297- 309
Date Published
1992
Length
13 pages
Annotation
A survey completed by administrators at 64 medium- and maximum-security women's prisons was used to assess the extent to which and how male officers are employed in women's prisons and to evaluate the inmates' reactions to these male officers.
Abstract
Survey results showed that, as of 1990, most prisons for women employed male officers. Of the 64 facilities included in this study, 62 employed male corrections officers, and in 56 of these, men were routinely assigned to supervise female inmates in the housing units. To ensure the privacy of female inmates, correctional officials implemented changes in the physical structure of buildings and in the facilities' operating policies and procedures. In general, there was little resistance to, and even a preference for, male correctional officers by the inmates. In fact, female inmates seemed to be better groomed and more obedient when male officers were present. However, the inmates did object to the deployment of men in assignments that required direct physical contact or visual observation of a personal nature. 3 tables, 5 notes, and 18 references.