NCJ Number
131347
Date Published
1990
Length
66 pages
Annotation
Recruitment and retention patterns for correctional officers in the Correctional Service of Canada were analyzed using data from official records from January 1985 through December 1989.
Abstract
Results showed that recruits were mostly under age 30 and that twice as many men as women were recruited. In addition, men generally entered full-time positions, while women often entered part-time positions. About 25 percent of the recruits had college education in criminal justice, and 8 percent had university degrees in a field related to criminal justice. About 30 percent of the recruits had no post-secondary education. Twenty percent of all recruits left before the end of December 1989, with women leaving at twice the rate of men. Recruits who left usually did so within one year, usually resigning for personal reasons or other employment. Twelve percent were rejected on probation, usually in the training period. Career progression patterns in the first five years of employment indicated relatively low career mobility, a higher rate of promotion of males than females, and a lack of connection between prior experiences and education to the chance of promotion. Finally, recruitment into other occupational groups from outside the public services was not as extensive as recruitment of correctional officers. Figures, tables, and appended methodological information