NCJ Number
206071
Journal
Criminal Justice Review Volume: 29 Issue: 1 Dated: Spring 2004 Pages: 145-172
Editor(s)
Michael S. Vaughn
Date Published
2004
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This study examined the nature and extent of stressors for correctional staff, specifically work-family conflict in order to respond effectively.
Abstract
Work-family conflict has received considerable attention in the criminal justice field over the years. However, work-family conflict has received little attention in the correctional literature. This article attempts to understand the nature and extent of stressors for correctional staff, including work-family conflict among correctional staff utilizing results of a study on work-family conflict among correctional staff at a Midwestern correctional facility. Three general questions were asked: (1) is work-family conflict an issue among correctional staff; (2) if correctional staff suffer from work-family conflict, which forms and types do they experience; and (3) are various groups among correctional staff impacted more or less by different forms and types of work-family conflict? A total of 272 usable surveys were obtained from a survey of correctional staff at a high-security prison in the Midwest in the fall of 2000. Results indicate that a fair number were impacted by work-family conflict and there appeared to be two major forms of work-family conflict among correctional staff: (1) work-on-family conflict, where work negatively affects the family or social life of the correctional employee and (2) family-on-work conflict, where family and social issues affect the person’s job. In addition, three types of work-on-family conflict were observed, time-based, strain-based, and harm. There were no major differences found between most of the various groups of correctional staff in terms of their level of the different types and forms of work-family conflict. References