NCJ Number
117259
Journal
Federal Probation Quarterly Volume: 53 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1989) Pages: 33-42
Date Published
1989
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study explores the nature and sources of prison guards' correctional orientation and evaluates their support for rehabilitation.
Abstract
Data was gathered from 155 of 250 prison guards employed in a southern correctional system. Two scales were used to assess respondent attitudes, one measuring support for custody and the other measuring support for rehabilitation. Several work-related variables were included in the analysis, since the study also sought to evaluate the extent to which work conditions and individual characteristics impacted prison guard orientations. Findings from forced-choice questions revealed little support for treatment; only 10.3 percent selected offender rehabilitation versus custody. Items from the custodial orientation scale showed that prison guards held strong custodial attitudes. Most indicated their major concern was keeping inmates from causing trouble. Nearly 60 percent said offenders received too much sympathy. Even so, 70 percent agreed that treating offenders was as important as punishing them. Items from the rehabilitation orientation scale indicated that prison guards were inclined toward a human service orientation and that contact with offenders did not substantially lessen support for treatment. Supportive custodial attitudes were related exclusively to work conditions, especially role problems and assignment to the night shift. Supportive rehabilitation attitudes were significantly related to only work condition (night shift) but were related to race and the age a person became a prison guard. Overall, study data showed that, to the extent determinants of correctional orientation can be specified, custody and rehabilitation orientations have different sources. Items used to measure work conditions are listed in an appendix. 43 references, 5 tables.