NCJ Number
211255
Date Published
2005
Length
30 pages
Annotation
This chapter examines the psychological and behavioral effects of working as a prison officer.
Abstract
The research on which this chapter is based explores two central questions: what makes a "good" prison officer and how can a "good" prison officer be identified. Data are presented from focus group discussions, observations, interviews, and accompanying prison officers in the course of their daily work. The analysis of the data classified the effects of prison work into three, interrelated types: cognitive, emotional, and behavioral. Each of these categories of effects are examined in turn. In terms of cognition, prison officers adopted a rational style of thinking that focused on the pragmatic aspects of the job; e.g., reaching the end of a shift without any incidents or harm to anyone while performing daily tasks. The emotional effects of doing prison work included an array of feelings such as anger, frustration, fear, guilt, sadness, tension, stress, upset, anxiety, tiredness, empathy, pity, relief, and uncertainty. Whereas the emotional effects of prison work stemmed largely from specific incidents, the behavioral effects apparently originated from the repetitiveness of prison work and the daily routines and tasks. Much of this behavior became habitual. The majority of the behavioral effects were linked to the security and supervisory functions of a prison officer. Experienced prison officers mentioned conditioned behaviors related to being more alert and vigilant even outside of the prison work. The demands on prison officers to provide a humane and caring environment--as well as a secure, safe, and ordered one--involves a delicate (cognitive, emotional, and behavioral) balancing act by officers that requires emotional and behavioral control that avoids becoming too involved or too detached. 9 notes and 51 references