Improving the Turnover Rate at the Cook County Department of Corrections

• NCJ Number: 104057
• Author(s): S McCann
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 51 pages
• Corporate Author: Cook Cty Dept of Corrections
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study identifies the best method for reducing the high turnover rate among Cook County, Ill. correctional officers with 2 years of service or less.

Abstract

Data were obtained through a questionnaire mailed to a nonrandom, subsample of 30 correctional officers who terminated their employment during fiscal year 1986. The questionnaire was administered during August 1986. The data supported the hypothesis that at least 25 percent of correctional officers leave before completing 2 years of service and also the hypothesis that 50 percent of the officers would report low morale. The hypothesis that 50 percent of the officers would remain if salary was improved was not supported and neither was the hypothesis that 90 percent of the officers would remain if both pay and benefits were improved. Hypotheses that predicted at least 50 percent of the officers would support improved management supervision were supported. Based on these findings, the study recommends changing management principles so as to allow more officer input on matters that affect them. A change in hiring practices is also suggested. The study recommends administering a similar survey to current officers and the ongoing measurement of attrition to assess progress in resolving the problem. The questionnaire and 6 references.