NCJ Number
16128
Journal
Society Volume: 11 Issue: 5 Dated: (JULY/AUGUST 1974) Pages: 42-50
Date Published
1974
Length
9 pages
Annotation
EXAMINES THE CUSTODIAL FUNCTION OF THE PRISON OFFICER WHICH EMPHASIZES THE DAILY TASK OF CONTAINING THE PRISONER, CONFORMING TO DIRECTIVES, AND CONTINUING ROUTINE.
Abstract
TO STUDY THE ROLE OF THE CORRECTIONAL OFFICER AND HIS PERCEPTION OF BOTH OBJECTIVES AND REALITIES OF HIS JOB, DATA WERE OBTAINED BY THE SENIOR AUTHOR AS PART OF RESEARCH ON CUSTODIAL STAFF MADE OVER A HALF-YEAR PERIOD AT THE U.S. PENITENTIARY IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA. THE DATA INDICATE THAT CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS ARE ACUTELY SENSITIVE TO CHANGES THEY SEE TAKING PLACE ON THE CORRECTIONAL SCENE, AND THEY WELCOME FEW OF THEM. THE INTERACTION BETWEEN CUSTODIAL STAFF AND INMATES IS AFFECTED BY FOUR SOURCES OF UNPREDICTABILITY. THESE ARE MALFUNCTIONS OF PLANT OR EQUIPMENT, PROBLEMS ORIGINATING AMONG EMPLOYEES, PROBLEMS CREATED BY INMATES AND DIFFICULTIES PRODUCED BY THE FREE COMMUNITY. THE DATA ALSO INDICATE THAT A UNIQUE FEATURE OF PRISON WORK IS ITS INABILITY TO ALLOW THE STANDARD JUDGMENTAL DISCRETIONS PERMITTED IN MOST OTHER OCCUPATIONAL CAREERS. A REVIEW IS THEN GIVEN OF TACTICS USED BY CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS TO MINIMIZE THE LOSS OF CONTROL. THESE INCLUDE THE SHAKEDOWN, GAINING INFORMATION FROM INMATES ABOUT CLANDESTINE ACTIVITIES IN THE INSTITUTION, AND THE USE OF THE COUNT TO INSURE ACCOUNTABILITY OF ALL PRISONERS AT ANY TIME. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)