WHO ARE THE REAL PRISONERS? - A CASE OF WIN-LOSE CONFLICT IN A STATE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION

• NCJ Number: 41492
• Journal: Journal of Applied Behavioral Science Volume: 13 Issue: 1 Dated: (1977) Pages: 23-40
• Author(s): R H SEBRING; D DUFFEE
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 18 pages
• Corporate Author: Institute for Applied Behavioral Science
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: REPRINT

Annotation

THIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES A CONFLICT SITUATION THAT DEVELOPED AMONG PRISON STAFF AT A STATE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION AND BETWEEN THE PRISON STAFF AND AN OUTSIDE EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATION FUNDING THE VOCATIONAL PROGRAM.+

Abstract

THE AUTHORS PRESENT THE SYMPTOMS OF ORGANIZATIONAL PARANOIA THAT DEVELOP, DISCUSS THE ORGANIZATIONAL ANTECEDENTS PECULIAR TO A CORRECTIONS SYSTEM AND A STATE BUREAUCRACY, AND THEN OUTLINE THE APPROACH USED TO ADDRESS THE CONFLICT, AS WELL AS ITS ABRUPT TERMINATION. THE RELATIVE MERITS OF CONSULTANT CONSENSUS AND DISSENSUS APPROACHES ARE DISCUSSED AND SOME RADICAL THEORY BUILDING IS PRESENTED FOR CONSULTANTS WORKING WITH CLIENTS IN HIGHLY POLITICAL STATE HUMAN-SERVICE SYSTEMS. CERTAINLY THE ADMINISTRATORS AND STAFF ARE LOSERS IN SUCH A CONFLICT SITUATION, THE AUTHORS CONCLUDE, BUT IT IS THE TAXPAYERS AND PRISONERS WHO ARE THE REAL LOSERS. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT)...MSP