NCJ Number
214178
Journal
Criminal Justice and Behavior: An International Journal Volume: 13 Issue: 3 Dated: June 2006 Pages: 392-410
Date Published
June 2006
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This article presents a literature review examining the effectiveness of the direct supervision system of correctional management and design.
Abstract
Overall, the research consistently finds that direct supervision management and design have reduced correctional assaults and other serious incidents and have lowered correctional costs. Specifically, research indicates that direct supervision has resulted in more perceived safety among officers and inmates, fewer inmate assaults on staff, and other inmates. Research also suggests that direct management may lower levels of vandalism, improve inmate-staff interactions, and decrease levels of stress among officers and inmates. Operating costs in terms of staffing have been reduced and maintenance costs have decreased under direct supervision systems, although not all studies supported the last finding. Moreover, not all findings indicated decreased stress and increased job satisfaction for correctional officers. Direct supervision emerged as one of the most striking correctional reforms of the late 20th century and has been widely disseminated and supported within the American correctional system. The research literature review focused on the operational issues of safety and security under direct supervision, levels of tension and stress, vandalism and maintenance, contraband, suicide, theft and other minor violations, rehabilitation and recidivism, institutional costs, and staff and management impacts. Future research should focus on the finding that direct supervision facilities may suffer greater difficulties when the level and quality of staff training is insufficient. Note, references