NCJ Number
130940
Journal
Corrective and Social Psychiatry and Journal of Behavior Technology Methods and Therapy Volume: 36 Issue: 3 Dated: (July 1990) Pages: 46-53
Date Published
1990
Length
8 pages
Annotation
The literature relating to the personal characteristics of successful correctional officers is reviewed to determine if subsequent performance on the job can be predicted reliably at the time of recruitment and during selection for a college program in corrections.
Abstract
Much of the literature is speculative and descriptive rather than empirical because efforts to determine the attributes of successful correctional officers have depended primarily on survey and observational data. Most of the attributes described are non-specific and would be regarded as assets in any occupation. Only "good human relations" and "effective communication skills" emerge as characteristics in a significant number of studies. The few studies which have attempted to relate existing psychological tests to the personalities of currently employed correctional officers have failed to provide any conclusive correlations. Further investigation is needed to identify the attributes required of correctional officers and to develop or identify an appropriate screening device. A proposal for the testing of a series of instruments currently in use for screening applicants for a college law enforcement program is included. 1 figure, 46 references, and 1 appendix (Author abstract modified)