Social Climate of Juvenile Institutions: Staff Perceptions of Work Environment and the Relationship to Demographic and Other Status Characteristics

• NCJ Number: 191058
• Journal: Journal for Juvenile Justice and Detention Services Volume: 15 Issue: 2 Dated: Fall 2000 Pages: 47-66
• Author(s): James B. Wells; Kevin I. Minor; Stacey L. Woofter; Kathy Black-Dennis
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 20 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined employees' perceptions of the work environment within Kentucky's state-operated juvenile institutions.

Abstract

Using a version of the Prison Social Climate Survey (PSCS) adapted for juveniles, the study examined employees' perceptions of the work environment within state-operated juvenile institutions in Kentucky. The PSCS measures seven dimensions of a work environment: Authority and Structure, Supervision, Organization Satisfaction, Institution Satisfaction, Job Satisfaction, Personal Efficacy, and Job-Related Stress. Staff generally have moderate to positive perceptions of their work environment. The most consistent predictor of staff perceptions is location. Staff working in rural locations have significantly more positive perceptions. Staff with longer tenure display more negative perceptions of the work environment. Staff with shorter tenure are more positive about the agency's organization and operations, more committed, and have a greater sense of efficacy and less job stress. Supervisors are more positive than non-supervisors about the organization generally and the institution in particular. They also claim greater job satisfaction. Compared to non-minorities, minority staff feel more effective in working with juveniles and experience less job stress. Tables, references