NCJ Number
211715
Journal
Corrections Today Magazine Volume: 67 Issue: 6 Dated: October 2005 Pages: 104-107
Date Published
October 2005
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article discusses strategies for recruiting and retaining women in the corrections industry.
Abstract
Recruiting and retaining women in the correctional work force requires special effort due to historical misconceptions about the corrections industry and the attributes necessary to work with inmates. Employers who are serious about their commitment to recruit and retain female employees will need to review the mission, values, goals, objectives, policies, and procedures of their organization to ensure the workplace environment is conducive to diversity. Recruitment efforts should include the presentation of recruitment literature to nontraditional audiences at nontraditional locations. Retaining female recruits requires that employers offer an active mentoring program and embrace an employee-friendly management style that supports inclusion. Several inclusion-related management styles are described, followed by a discussion of the importance of removing specific stressors from the work environment, such as sexual harassment. If the criminal justice system is to continue to be effective in meeting its goals, there must be a concerted effort to increase diversity within the work force. Endnotes