NCJ Number
245340
Journal
International Journal of Comparative and Applied Criminal Justice Volume: 37 Issue: 3 Dated: 2013 Pages: 213-232
Date Published
2013
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This study presents a comparison between jail and prison officers' perceptions in Taiwan.
Abstract
Although a review of literature related to turnover intent in the correctional workplace has focused primarily on prison officers, jailers have frequently been overlooked. Specifically, a comparison between jail and prison officers' perceptions in Taiwan is limited. In order to fill the gap, this study was based on three objectives: (1) surveying Taiwanese correctional officers who experienced the "get-tough-on-crime" policy during the early 2000s, (2) testing for differences in turnover intent between jail and prison officers, and (3) examining personal and workplace environmental factors in order to determine whether distinct turnover intent exists among prison and jail officers. A self-report survey administered to 799 Taiwanese correctional officers (with an adjusted response rate of 89 percent) demonstrated that jail and prison officers had moderately high levels of turnover intent with no significant difference. When turnover intent correlates were further examined, job dangerousness, organizational harmony, and commitment were significant predictors for both prison and jail officers, thus suggesting that environmental factors have the most robust impact. In terms of personal characteristics, tenure and position were significantly related to prison officers' turnover intent. Conversely, age represented the significant factor among jail respondents. Abstract published by arrangement with Taylor and Francis.