UNIONIZATION OF THE GUARDS (FROM INSTITUTE OF CONTEMPORARY CORRECTIONS AND THE BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES INTERAGENCY WORKSHOP - PROCEEDINGS - ANNUAL, THIRTEENTH HOUSTON (TX), 1978 - SEE NCJ-66183)

• NCJ Number: 66185
• Author(s): J B JACOBS
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 4 pages
• Corporate Author: Sam Houston State University
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: NCJ-66185 AVAILABLE ON MICROFICHE (SEE NCJ-66183) FROM NCJRS.

Annotation

THE BACKGROUND AND POSSIBLE EFFECTS OF CORRECTIONAL GUARD UNIONIZATION ARE DISCUSSED.

Abstract

LAWS PERMITTING THE UNIONIZATION AND COLLECTIVE BARGAINING OF PUBLIC EMPLOYEES HAVE OPENED THE WAY FOR THE UNIONIZATION OF CORRECTIONAL GUARDS. SUCH UNIONIZATION HAS NOT BEEN EASY, BECAUSE GUARDS HAVE TRADITIONALLY BEEN CONDITIONED BY AN EMPHASIS UPON LOYALTY TO WARDENS AND CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATORS. THE PARAMILITARY STRUCTURE OF THE GUARD STAFF HAS REINFORCED THE CONCEPT OF OBEDIENCE TO THE CHAIN OF COMMAND. UNIONIZATION WILL INEVITABLY FORGE AN EGALITARIAN APPROACH AS UNION REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GUARDS WILL MEET AS EQUALS WITH MANAGEMENT TO DEVELOP CONTRACTS THAT WILL BE WEIGHTED TOWARD GUARD SELF-INTERESTS. SOME FEAR THAT GUARD UNIONS WILL BE BASTIONS OF CONSERVATISM RESISTING PENAL REFORM THAT CALLS FOR THE UPGRADING AND EXPANSION OF GUARD ROLES. WHILE THIS IS CERTAINLY A POSSIBILITY, THERE IS GOOD REASON TO BELIEVE ON THE BASIS OF UNION IMPACTS IN OTHER OCCUPATIONS THAT GUARD UNIONS WILL FOSTER GREATER PRIDE IN THE GUARD PROFESSION AND A DRIVE TOWARD PROFESSIONALIZATION. THIS WILL BE IN GUARDS' SELF-INTEREST, BECAUSE IT WILL PRODUCE A RATIONALE FOR HIGHER WAGES AND AN IMPROVED CAREER LADDER. FOOTNOTES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)