NCJ Number
186877
Journal
Innovation Exchange Issue: 8 Dated: Summer 2000 Pages: 39-42
Editor(s)
Naomi Shapira,
Ruth Geva
Date Published
2000
Length
4 pages
Annotation
In the Israeli Prison Service (IPS), women comprise 18.5 percent of the overall work force but only 6 percent of the Security Division, the core of the IPS.
Abstract
Of the 20 senior commanders of the IPS, only 2 are women and there are no women at all in the three highest ranks. Structural obstacles to the employment of women in the IPS include a conservative organizational culture, the definition of the work of a prison guard as a man's job, a standard working pattern of 24 hours on and 48 hours off, the promotion of only officers with long seniority in the Security Division to senior command posts, and the absenteeism of women due to pregnancy and child care. In 1998, the IPS experimented with the introduction of women guards in two men's prisons. An evaluation of this experiment showed women demonstrated authority and firmness, along with a care-giving element in which they used the qualities of listening, support, and cooperation. Women exercised a moderating influence on prisoners, they indicated the work was satisfying, and shift work caused no problems in the women's domestic or social life. Male fellow guards said the women were highly motivated, worked better than other male guards, invested a great deal in their work, and had a positive effect on the general working atmosphere. In a survey of prisoners, 93 percent were in favor of extending the experiment and said the female guards were tough. The success of the experiment led evaluators to conclude women can function effectively and successfully in all types of IPS work and at all ranks. The IPS plans to employ more women in male prisons. 7 photographs