In:
Criminal Justice and Behavior, SAGE Publications, Vol. 50, No. 10 ( 2023-10), p. 1506-1525
Abstract:
Most research finds that individuals are drawn to the correctional officer occupation for the pay and benefits or because it provides a new and exciting opportunity. However, these are not the only interests for choosing a correctional officer position. The current study draws on a sample of pre-service correctional officers surveyed prior to beginning their jobs ( N = 673). In the spirit of the deviant case method, we focus on a subset of our sample who provided problematic motivations for becoming officers ( n = 38). Using a thematic analytic approach, we identified five broad themes within this nefariously/disconcertingly motivated sample: use of force, punitive focus, power and control, cavalier ulterior motives, and problematic social boundaries. We theorize, based on prior research, that these individuals could constitute a meaningful minority that may contribute to the detriment of both their organizations and those they are overseeing. Future research should explore this possibility.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0093-8548
,
1552-3594
DOI:
10.1177/00938548231187415
Language:
English
Publisher:
SAGE Publications
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1500128-3
SSG:
2
SSG:
2,1
SSG:
5,2