ROLE CONFLICT IN CORRECTIONAL COMMUNITIES (FROM PRISON - STUDIES IN INSTITUTIONAL ORGANIZATION AND CHANGE EDITED BY D.R.CRESSEY - SEE NCJ-02358)

• NCJ Number: 6961
• Author(s): S WHEELER
• Date Published: 1961
• Length: 31 pages
• Corporate Author: Holt, Rinehart and Winston
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: CHAPTER 6, P 229-259

Annotation

STUDY OF DEGREE OF CONFLICT BETWEEN INMATES AND STAFF PRIVATELY EXPRESSED CONCEPTIONS OF APPROPRIATE CONDUCT AND THEIR PERCEPTIONS OF EACH OTHERS ATTITUDES.

Abstract

THE RESULTS SUGGEST THAT THERE IS LESS CONFLICT BETWEEN INMATES AND STAFF ON A PRIVATE ATTITUDINAL LEVEL THAN IS USUALLY REPORTED ON THE BASIS OF OBSERVATIONAL ACCOUNTS. THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF THE INSTITUTION OPERATES, TO CREATE A PERCEPTION OF SEVERE CONFLICT IN ROLE EXPECTATIONS. THESE PERCEPTIONS GUIDE THE BEHAVIOR OF MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZATION, AND ARE AN IMPORTANT FORCE IN THE LIFE OF THE CORRECTIONAL COMMUNITY. SINCE THE BIAS IN PERCEPTION OF SOCIAL ROLES IS A PRODUCT OF THE INSTITUTION'S SOCIAL STRUCTURE, CHANGES IN THE PERCEPTION OF THOSE ROLES REQUIRE CHANGES IN THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION OF THE INSTITUTION. SUGGESTIONS FOR CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH THE INMATE CULTURE AND SOCIAL STRUCTURE MIGHT BE MODIFIED ARE GIVEN. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)