NCJ Number
138314
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 54 Issue: 5 Dated: (July 1992) Pages: 174-176
Date Published
1992
Length
3 pages
Annotation
A survey of the directors of 37 State corrections departments was conducted to determine their views on the importance of advanced formal education to correctional officer job performance, career advancement, and job satisfaction.
Abstract
The results showed that the directors with graduate degrees greatly valued higher education for correctional officers. In terms of job performance, they felt that formal education was beneficial in helping officers resolve inmate disputes. Formal education was thought to be more important than academy and inservice training for officers seeking advancement in rank or position. The respondents, both with and without college degrees, generally agreed that a college degree did not necessarily guarantee job satisfaction. The authors propose four recommendations concerning correctional officer education. First, future research should include surveys of line staff to ascertain their attitudes toward the need for college education. Managers should develop educational incentive programs to help officers achieve their career goals. Officers with advanced degrees should be given greater decisionmaking opportunities within the institution. Finally, tuition reimbursement and career development should be incorporated into policy management as a means of professionalizing corrections through advanced formal education.