NCJ Number
51148
Journal
Phylon Volume: 23 Issue: 4 Dated: (WINTER 1962) Pages: 372-378
Date Published
1962
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE EMPLOYMENT OF BLACKS IN THE FEDERAL PRISON SYSTEM IS EXAMINED IN A STUDY UNDERTAKEN A FEW YEARS AFTER THE SYSTEM STOPPED REQUIRING REFERENCE TO RACE ON EMPLOYEE AND INMATE FORMS.
Abstract
EMPLOYMENT INVENTORIES WERE RECEIVED FROM 16 OF THE 30 INSTITUTIONS IN THE FEDERAL SYSTEM. (INSTITUTIONS SERVING INMATES WITH MEDICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS, SMALL DETENTION FACILITIES, AND SOME OTHER FACILITIES WERE OMITTED.) EMPLOYMENT DATA COVER THE PERIOD JANUARY 1 THROUGH DECEMBER 3, 1960. THE PERCENTAGES OF BLACK EMPLOYEES WERE 3 PERCENT FOR MAXIMUM SECURITY FACILITIES, 1 PERCENT FOR MEDIUM SECURITY, AND 14 PERCENT FOR MINIMUM SECURITY FACILITIES. FOR ALL INSTITUTIONS, THE PERCENTAGES OF BLACK EMPLOYEES WERE 0.4 PERCENT FOR ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS, 5 PERCENT FOR ADVISORY POSITIONS, 4 PERCENT FOR CULINARY, FARM AND MECHANICAL POSITIONS, 4 PERCENT FOR CUSTODIAL POSITIONS, AND 4 PERCENT FOR ALL POSITIONS. OUT OF 2,826 EMPLOYEES IN ALL INTITUTIONS, 104 WERE BLACK. IN NO CASE DID THE PERCENTAGE OF BLACK EMPLOYEES IN ANY AREA OR PRISON CLOSELY APPROXIMATE THE PERCENTAGE OF BLACK INMATES. THIS DISCREPANCY IS MOST NOTABLE IN HIGHER SECURITY INSTITUTIONS. BLACK FEMALES WERE PARTICULARLY UNDERREPRESENTED AMONG PRISON EMPLOYEES. TWO POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS ARE OFFERED: (1) BLACKS MAY NOT BE INTERESTED IN, AWARE OF, OR ORIENTED TOWARD FEDERAL CORRECTIONS; AND (2) EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS MAY BE APPLIED MORE STRINGENTLY TO BLACK APPLICANTS. TABULAR DATA ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)