NCJ Number
104611
Date Published
1986
Length
174 pages
Annotation
Interviews with 15 correctional administrators and 45 correctional officers in one State revealed differences in perceptions about male and female inmate behavior and social organization, resulting in differences in the correctional officer's supervisory role.
Abstract
The subjects had all worked for at least a year each in a facility for men and a facility for women. The officers tended to attribute female inmates' characteristics to their membership in the category of women rather than to their situation of being in a prison. Female inmates were regarded as being harder to supervise than males. They tended to form smaller social groups and to have less hierarchical communication patterns than males. Other differences were the more personal relationships between guards and female inmates as well as more open homosexuality, violence, and displays of a wide range of emotions. Administrators should use these findings to train correctional staff. Screening of correctional officers could identify those seeking involvement and needing challenge and excitement and who therefore might enjoy working with female inmates. Using guards of the opposite sex from inmates in both male and female institutions might improve relations between officers and inmates. Tables, chapter reference notes, index, and appendix presenting study instruments.