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Women In Prison Corrections

Decent Essays

Week Six: News and Media Review
(Mis)Correction
Near the penitentiary era prison reform development epicenter and a couple centuries later, corrections officers with the Lackawanna County Prison in Scranton Pennsylvania were charged with, “… sexually abusing female inmates, some for more than a decade” (Haag, 2018, para. 1). According to the article, seven men, “… [used] their positions of power over the inmates to force them into sexual acts in cells and utility closets” (Haag, 2018, para. 2). Worse still, this prison upheld a culture of abuse, as corrections officers made the inmates a means to their own dark gratifications. Under threat of harsh living conditions, many kept quiet. One female who attempted to report to the assistant warden, was, “… sent officers into her cell to destroy her complaints” (Haag, 2018, para. 13). …show more content…

The deployment of female personnel, however, was disproportionately skewed toward jobs in the lower ranks” (Schmalleger, 2015, pp. 443-444). Notably, having a greater number of female corrections officers would not eliminate potential inmate abuse entirely; however, greater balance representation may reduce that capability in situations like the above.
The job of a corrections officer is far from simple. It remains nearly a never-ending learning process, requiring the competency to appropriately handle stressful situations, risk of physical harm, living with highest ethical standards and above reproach, and a willingness to help the worst in society. It is not glamorous. It is not easy. Yet, it offers the possibility to help directly impact those in society who need the most help – creating a channel through which support, guidance, and the exemplification of what a good citizen looks

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