NCJ Number
233742
Journal
Criminal Justice Review Volume: 36 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2011 Pages: 58-75
Date Published
March 2011
Length
18 pages
Annotation
This article examines staff turnover in juvenile correctional facilities.
Abstract
Although there is minimal research on job turnover among staff working in juvenile correctional facilities, turnover continues to be a costly problem with far reaching ramifications. This study examined 12-month turnover (operationalized in terms of resignations) among 13 successive cohorts of 475 staff who completed a basic training academy over a 3-year period. Turnover approached one quarter and was most probable during the first 6 months following academy completion. Seven demographic and nine work-related predictors were analyzed, including measures of job satisfaction and organizational commitment. Only one variable predicted turnover. Turnover was significantly less likely among staff displaying satisfaction with coworkers. The findings imply that turnover among newer employees might be curtailed through programs such as staff mentoring implemented during the first 6 to 9 months of a new employee's tenure to foster positive coworker relations. (Published Abstract) Tables, figure, note, and references