Impact of the "Glass Ceiling" on Women Employed in Florida Jails (From Human Resources in Criminal Justice, P 25-39, 1994, Diane L. Zahm, Cindy Stiff, et al, ed. - See NCJ-153059)

• NCJ Number: 153062
• Author(s): A R Cornish
• Date Published: 1994
• Length: 15 pages
• Sale Source: Florida Department of Law Enforcement; National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Based on a literature review, this paper analyzes gender inequity in the workplace, with emphasis on the employment of females as correctional and support staff in Florida's jails.

Abstract

Gender inequity is deeply engrained in the workplace and is based on societal expectations and attitudes. Despite some progress, females face major obstacles in male-dominated areas such as law enforcement and corrections and find it difficult to become managers. Women are denied training, lack agency-sponsored opportunities for networking, and are stopped by traditional organizational behavior. Surveys reveal that more than half the professional and support staff in jails are female, which means that females hold the majority of nursing, counseling, and secretarial positions. However, females consist of just 22 percent of the total number of corrections officers, 17 percent of the first-line supervisors, and 11.5 percent of senior managers. However, women are already in the majority in Florida. Therefore, jails should not only make female officers welcome but also nurture them, prepare them for leadership roles, and change organizational cultures that present barriers to female managers. Tables and 39 references (Author abstract modified)