NCJ Number
62244
Journal
Prison Service Journal Volume: 27 Dated: (1977) Pages: 6-8
Date Published
1977
Length
3 pages
Annotation
THE PRISON SERVICE IN ENGLAND SHOULD ACHIEVE SPECIFIC GOALS THROUGH THE RECRUITMENT OF TECHNICAL EXPERTS, THE RECRUITMENT OF SUCH EXPERTS CAN LEAD TO INTERORGANIZATIONAL PROBLEMS.
Abstract
CONFLICTS MAY ARISE BETWEEN TECHNICAL EXPERTS WHO EXERCISE AUTHORITY BECAUSE OF THEIR EXPERTISE AND OFFICEHOLDERS WHO RELY ON THEIR LEGAL POSITION TO ENFORCE RULES. CONFLICTS MAY ALSO ARISE BETWEEN MEMBERS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE HIERARCHY WHO PREFER A MORE RIGID AUTHORITY STRUCTURE AND PROFESSIONALS WHO LIKE MORE DEMOCRATIC AND INFORMAL CONSULTATIONS. TWO DISTINCT CATEGORIES OF SPECIALISTS IN THE PRISON SERVICE ARE THE ACHIEVEMENT PROFESSIONALS, SPECIALISTS, INITIALLY TRAINED OUTSIDE THE EMPLOYING ORGANIZATION CHARACTERIZED BY PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE AND COMMITMENT TO PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION AND CODE OF ETHICS; AND THE ASCRIPTIVE PROFESSIONALS, TRAINED PRIMARILY WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION WITH LOYALTY TO THE HIRING ORGANIZATION RATHER THAN TO ANY OUTSIDE ASSOCIATION. TENSIONS BETWEEN THESE TWO GROUPS CAN BE ALLEVIATED THROUGH INITIAL RECRUITMENT, INDUCTION COURSES, A RECOGNITION OF POSSIBLE PHYSICAL AND SOCIAL ISOLATION IN THE PRISON SERVICE, AND THE NEED FOR STRATEGIES TO ALLEVIATE RESULTANT PROBLEMS. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (AOP)