NCJ Number
59075
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
AIDING THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICER IN ANALYZING HIS OWN BEHAVIOR WHEN SUPERVISING INMATES, THIS FILM DEPICTS A VARIETY OF STAFF-INMATE INTERACTIONS.
Abstract
TO ENHANCE INMATE-STAFF COOPERATION, CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS MUST MAINTAIN ORDER. TO PERFORM THIS FUNCTION, CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS SHOULD BE FIRM, BUT FAIR WHILE DEALING WITH INMATE REQUESTS AND PROBLEMS; OFFICERS SHOULD AVOID FAVORITISM, WHICH MAY EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE INMATE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HIS FAVORED STATUS OR BE FORCED BY OTHER INMATES TO ABUSE HIS PRIVILEGES; AND OFFICERS SHOULD UNDERSTAND THE INMATES UNDER THEIR CHARGE IN REGARD TO HOW MUCH WORK THEY CAN OR ARE WILLING TO PERFORM. THE FILM STRESSES CONSISTENCY IN WORK STANDARDS. COOPERATION WILL DIMINISH IF THE OFFICER IS UNAWARE OF THE LENGTH OF TIME IT WILL TAKE TO PERFORM A TASK; INMATES WILL BE CONFUSED IF THEY ARE EXPECTED TO COMPLETE A JOB IN AN UNREASONABLY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. THE AMOUNT OF CRITICISM OR PRAISE AN OFFICER BESTOWS IS ALSO AN IMPORTANT FACTOR IN MAINTAINING GOOD RELATIONS WITH INMATES. THERE ARE CERTAIN INMATES THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICER WILL DISLIKE, BUT HE MUST TREAT THEM WITH THE SAME DEGREE OF FAIRNESS AS OTHER INMATES. ADDITIONALLY, THE OFFICER MUST BE SELF-CONFIDENT IN HIS ATTITUDES AND BEHAVIOR; INMATES WILL SENSE HESITATION OR FEAR AND DECLINE TO COOPERATE. FINALLY, OFFICERS SHOULD REMEMBER THE MAXIM, 'A CORRECTIONAL STAFF RUNS AN INSTITUTION BECAUSE THE INMATES ALLOW THEM TO.'