NCJ Number
226277
Journal
The Prison Journal Volume: 89 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2009 Pages: 21-45
Date Published
March 2009
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This article discusses corruption by prison personnel in U.S. prisons and proposes effective methods for deterring it.
Abstract
Regardless of how prison corruption is defined, its practice falls into one of three general categories: acts of misfeasance (use of legitimate job tasks for illegitimate personal gain); acts of malfeasance (premeditated criminal acts or misconduct that involves the improper use of authority); and acts of nonfeasance (knowing omission or avoidance of professional and moral duties). In order to combat corruption by prison staff, civil correctional managers should consider a two-pronged policy: articulating clear policies on what constitutes corruption and implementing a firm anticorruption policy. So there is no chance that prison staff will unknowingly engage in misconduct, all acts by staff and inmates that constitute misconduct and/or violations of law should be clearly stated in a written policy statement and be incorporated in orientation and continuing training. Responses to any acts of corruption should also be clearly indicated. The implementation of anticorruption measures should include upgrading the quality of correctional personnel, establishing quality-based supervisory techniques, strengthening fiscal controls, and emphasizing effective training in ethics within the context of job responsibilities. 28 references