Racial Diversity of Correctional Workers and Inmates: Organizational Commitment, Teamwork, and Workers' Efficacy in Prisons

• NCJ Number: 188976
• Journal: Justice Quarterly Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Dated: June 2001 Pages: 411-427
• Author(s): Scott D. Camp; William G. Saylor; Kevin N. Wright
• Date Published: June 2001
• Length: 17 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study used structural equation modeling to test whether higher levels of racial diversity of correctional workers and inmates were associated with lower assessments of organizational commitment, teamwork among coworkers, and efficiency in dealing with inmates.

Abstract

Prior research into the effects of racial diversity on workplace relationships has demonstrated that white workers prefer to work in and with groups that are also composed of white workers. Most of this study’s data came from 1996 and from the Prison Social Climate Survey administered yearly by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The study also used operational data from the Key Indicators/Strategic Support Decision information system to determine the numbers of staff members and inmates and their race at the 86 facilities for which survey data were available. The dependent variables were commitment to the institution, teamwork, and job efficacy in terms of officers’ ability to work with inmates on a human level. The measures of diversity were Euclidean representations of the racial distance between each participant and the other members of the participant’s immediate work or inmate group. The analysis included 719 white males and 296 minority males. Results revealed that higher levels of racial diversity were associated with lower assessments of organizational commitment, teamwork among coworkers, and efficacy in dealing with inmates. In addition, results revealed the expected negative effects of racial diversity on white male correctional workers for organizational commitment, but not for teamwork and efficacy. In contrast, racial diversity did not affect organizational commitment, teamwork, or efficacy for minority male correctional workers. Findings suggested that the relationship between racial diversity and employee attitudes is more complex than implied by previous research. Tables, figure, footnotes, and 24 references (Author abstract modified)