Week 7 Assignment Corrections Officers Roles and Challenges

docx

School

Strayer University *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

410

Subject

Sociology

Date

Feb 20, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by KidElectronCaterpillar24

Week 7 Assignment - Corrections Officers: Roles and Challenges Week 7 Assignment - Corrections Officers: Roles and Challenges LaShonda Ellis CRJ410 – Corrections Instructor Name: Professor Raymond Anderson November 14, 2023 1

Week 7 Assignment - Corrections Officers: Roles and Challenges Correctional Facility Staff Hierarchy and The Four Main Goals of Correctional Staff Members Several staff members operate under the supervision of Department Heads. For instance, roles may include a Case Manager, a Counselor, and a Unit Secretary beneath the Unit Manager. The Supervisor of Education oversees teachers and librarians, while the captain oversees Lieutenants and Correctional Officers (Santos, 1). In every penal institution, correctional officers serve as the initial line of defense, responsible for the well-being and security of the facility's employees, inmates, and overall safety. Custodial staff, responsible primarily for maintaining order and security, includes majors, captains, lieutenants, sergeants, and correctional officers. Service and maintenance staff, including kitchen supervisors, physical plant personnel, and numerous outside contractors, contribute to the overall functioning of the institution. Volunteers, involved in prison ministry, speaking engagements, and other correctional activities, also play a vital role in the corrections environment. The supervisory staff, comprised of correctional lieutenants, sergeants, and lieutenants, plays a crucial role in overseeing the facility's day-to-day operations and its personnel. At the helm is the warden, the highest-ranking official responsible for the general management of the facility and its personnel. Personnel in prisons adhere to four primary objective safety , s ecurity, control, and rehabilitation. Foremost is ensuring the safety of personnel, prisoners, and the public. Correctional institutions must prioritize security to prevent escapes and the entry of contraband. Effective control measures are implemented to avoid harm to inmates or others. Additionally, a shared goal of correctional institutions is the rehabilitation of convicts, preparing them for successful reintegration into society. 2

Week 7 Assignment - Corrections Officers: Roles and Challenges Five Types of Power Available to Correctional Staff Correctional staff have access to five types of power to manage inmate behavior: reward power, coercive power, legitimate power, expert power, and referent power (Schmalleger, 2). Every kind of power can be effective in various situations, and it is the responsibility of correctional staff to determine the most appropriate approach. Reward Power involves granting rewards to inmates who exhibit the desired behavior. Correctional officers employ both formal and informal tips to foster cooperation among inmates. Traditional rewards involve allocating desirable jobs, housing, and other privileges. Additionally, correctional officers can influence parole decisions, allocate good-time credit, and gain time for inmates. Informal rewards encompass granting special favors and overlooking minor rule infractions by correctional officers. Examples include providing extra privileges such as additional time out of their cells or other food. Coercive power is the capacity to use force or the threat of force to influence inmate behavior. It may involve employing physical restraints or placing inmates in solitary confinement. Inmates' perceptions that a correctional officer possesses the capability and willingness to discipline disobedience confer upon the officer coercive power. Many correctional officers rely on coercive power as a central means of control. Legitimate power refers to the authority that correctional staff holds over inmates, allowing them to create and enforce rules within the institution. Correctional officers wield power inherently due to their positions within the organization. In other words, they possess formal authority to command. Hepburn notes, "The prison guard is entitled to exert control 3

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

Week 7 Assignment - Corrections Officers: Roles and Challenges over prisoners based on the structural relationship between the position of the guard and the position of the prisoner." Expert Power means that Correctional staff can utilize their knowledge and experience to influence inmate behavior. This may involve offering advice to inmates on how to behave to avoid disciplinary issues. For instance, inmates seeking treatment may appreciate officers with a focus on treatment. Those grappling with ongoing interpersonal conflicts may value officers with adept conflict-resolution skills. Officers with these abilities can exert influence on inmates seeking their assistance. Referent Power is when power stems from the respect and admiration that inmates have for the staff. Being perceived as fair and just in treating inmates contributes to the effectiveness of referent power. Referent power emanates from "persuasive diplomacy." Officers who earn the respect and admiration of prisoners—those who exhibit fairness and refrain from abuse—may naturally assume a leadership position over inmates. The Factors Contributing to Correctional Officer Corruption Various factors contribute to correctional officer corruption. Corruption in prisons typically stems from three main factors: coercion, recruitment, or emotional blackmail (Law, 3). A significant factor is the power dynamic within the correctional facility, where officers wield considerable authority over the inmates under their care, creating opportunities for abuse. Correctional officers' stressful and dangerous working conditions can further contribute to corruption as officers seek coping mechanisms. Low pay and long hours also tempt officers to accept bribes or engage in illegal activities to meet financial needs. Corruption within our nation's prison system poses a significant issue, as it fuels the illicit trade of drugs and contraband, financing gangs and organized crime. 4

Week 7 Assignment - Corrections Officers: Roles and Challenges In some cases, inmates may resort to coercion by threatening prison officials or their families to compel them to smuggle contraband into the facility. Alternatively, prisoners may employ bribery, offering guards money or commissary goods in exchange for cooperation. Combining bribery with blackmail, inmates may threaten to report the guard's misconduct if they do not comply. Gangs within prisons are known to actively recruit individuals with no criminal record from the outside, enticing them to apply for positions as correctional officers with promises of additional income funded by the criminal enterprises of inmates. Additionally, the culture of the penitentiary facility, particularly an emphasis on punishment and control, can foster an environment where abuse is tolerated or even encouraged. Stress For Correctional Officers In various occupational sectors, employers approximate that over 25 percent of reported sick leave is attributed to stress (Schmalleger, 2). Stress, characterized by tension in an individual's body or mind due to physical, chemical, or emotional factors, appears more prevalent in prison than in other professions. Stress is the tension in a person's body or mind resulting from physical, chemical, or emotional factors (Schmalleger, 2). Biological stress indicators encompass headaches, chest discomfort, exhaustion, gastrointestinal problems, and sleep disturbances. Emotional signs include anxiety, impatience, despair, and mood fluctuations. Behavioral manifestations linked to stress involve alterations in eating and sleeping habits, increased reliance on alcohol or drugs, and withdrawal from social interactions. Additionally, stress can manifest cognitively, leading to difficulties in concentration, forgetfulness, and negative thought patterns. 5

Week 7 Assignment - Corrections Officers: Roles and Challenges Correctional guards encounter diverse tasks and challenges, with stress standing out as a prominent issue among correctional personnel. The manifestations of focus for these employees can be classified into physical, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive signs. Several underlying factors contribute to the stress experienced by correctional officials, such as long working hours, shift work, inadequate compensation, exposure to violence and danger, and a sense of being undervalued. The repercussions of stress on the health of correctional officials are substantial, affecting both physical and mental well-being. Stress can contribute to health issues like high blood pressure, heart disease, and ulcers while also potentially leading to mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression. Correctional employees are advised to incorporate strategies such as regular exercise, relaxation techniques, and counseling to manage stress effectively. These proactive measures can play a crucial role in mitigating the adverse effects of stress on correctional personnel's physical and mental health. In correctional institutions, correctional officials oversee and monitor inmates, a task that can be inherently challenging. Beyond adhering to stringent laws and regulations, they must maintain order and safety in an environment where the potential for violence and conflict is ever-present, making it a profession with significant stress-inducing factors. Correctional officials employ various strategies regularly to cope with the stress inherent in their roles. Developing a resilient character and cultivating a thick skin are common coping mechanisms. These strategies help them detach personally from inmates' words or behavior, avoiding undue impact on a personal level. It also instils the ability to interpret situations with a measured perspective. Acknowledging the inevitability of encountering tension and conflict in their work 6

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help

Week 7 Assignment - Corrections Officers: Roles and Challenges is another facet of their coping approach. Establishing a robust support network is a prevalent method for dealing with challenging situations involving family members, acquaintances, and colleagues who provide emotional support and understanding. Lastly, maintaining physical fitness is widely recognized among those in corrections as a valuable tool for reducing stress levels and enhancing overall well-being. 7

Week 7 Assignment - Corrections Officers: Roles and Challenges Sources: 1. Michael Santos. 2022. Chain of Command in Prison. https://prisonprofessors.com/chain-of-command-prison/#:~:text=Numerous %20staff%20members%20work%20under,be%20Lieutenants%20and %20Correctional%20Officers . 2. Frank Schmalleger. No Date. Corrections in the 21st Century. https://strayer.vitalsource.com/reader/books/9781260805321/epubcfi/ 6/48[%3Bvnd.vst.idref%3Dch09]!/4/2/2/2[page_248 ] 3. Walk Free Law. 2023. Prison Corruption. https://walkfreelaw.com/practice-items/prison-corruption/#:~:text=Corruption %20in%20prison%20usually%20occurs,smuggle%20contraband%20into%20the %20prison . 4. Mark Chamberlain. June 22, 2020. Causes of Stress for Correctional Officers. https://www.lexipol.com/resources/blog/causes-of-stress-for-correctional-officers/ 8

Related Documents

theories of sp.docx

Copy of 5a. Abnormal Socialization.docx

week 7 discussion.docx

Adolescent development and social norms.docx

EEX4280 Module 4.1 Reflection.docx

annotated-EEX4280%20annotated%20bib.docx.pdf

EDPSE 304 Module 3 Notes.pdf

Topic 3 DQ1 and DQ21.docx

6443CommonAssignmentFall2023.docx

ECE 203 Week 2 Discussion.docx

Discuss classical theory and indicate what influence.docx

ECD 315 Week 1 journal.docx

Recommended textbooks for you

Social Psychology (10th Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780134641287

Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers

Publisher:Pearson College Div

Introduction to Sociology (Eleventh Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780393639407

Author:Deborah Carr, Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier, Richard P. Appelbaum

Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company

The Basics of Social Research (MindTap Course Lis...

Sociology

ISBN:9781305503076

Author:Earl R. Babbie

Publisher:Cengage Learning

Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Scien...

Sociology

ISBN:9780134477596

Author:Saferstein, Richard

Publisher:PEARSON

Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (13th Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780134205571

Author:James M. Henslin

Publisher:PEARSON

Society: The Basics (14th Edition)

Sociology

ISBN:9780134206325

Author:John J. Macionis

Publisher:PEARSON

SEE MORE TEXTBOOKS

Recommended textbooks for you

Social Psychology (10th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134641287
Author:Elliot Aronson, Timothy D. Wilson, Robin M. Akert, Samuel R. Sommers
Publisher:Pearson College Div
Introduction to Sociology (Eleventh Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780393639407
Author:Deborah Carr, Anthony Giddens, Mitchell Duneier, Richard P. Appelbaum
Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company
The Basics of Social Research (MindTap Course Lis...
Sociology
ISBN:9781305503076
Author:Earl R. Babbie
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Scien...
Sociology
ISBN:9780134477596
Author:Saferstein, Richard
Publisher:PEARSON
Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach (13th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134205571
Author:James M. Henslin
Publisher:PEARSON
Society: The Basics (14th Edition)
Sociology
ISBN:9780134206325
Author:John J. Macionis
Publisher:PEARSON