NCJ Number
95761
Date Published
1984
Length
102 pages
Annotation
This report assesses the responsibilities and concerns of all staff levels in English prisons, evaluates options for improving management structures, and proposes guidelines for reviewing prison management.
Abstract
This study adopted a consultative approach, guided by responses to a paper on prison management published in early 1983. It first discusses how current management structures affect different staff groups: the discipline staff, with attention to the prison officer; permanent fixed-post officers, which includes works, hospital, catering, and physical education officers; assistant governor; governor IV; deputy governor; governor; administrative officer and staff; the chaplain; the medical officer; other specialists; trade unions; and inmates. The report explores proposals to unify different staff grades and qroups, focusing on the relationship between the principal officer, the assistant governor, and chief officer grades as well as integration of the administrative staff into the operational structure. It endorses retaining existing grading arrangements, while clarifying role definitions, appropriate duties, and relative status. At the same time, the prison administration should unify existing grades and classes. Management evaluation guidelines address the establishment's role, management, spans of control, job descriptions, reporting arrangements, management committee structure, administrative support, communications, operating procedures, and job rotation. The report emphasizes the key nature of the prison officer's role and the importance of his/her contact with inmates, suggesting ways to improve the quality of this work and the job's status. A summary of the report's recommendations, the 1983 paper, current job descriptions, salary scales, and examples of prison role statements are included.