NCJ Number
11053
Date Published
1970
Length
25 pages
Annotation
DISPARITY IN PERCEPTION OF INMATE TRAITS AS VIEWED BY CUSTODIAL AND TREATMENT PERSONNEL.
Abstract
THE SUBJECTS FROM THE REHABILITATIVE INSTITUTION (YOUTH CENTER) CONSISTED OF 89 CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AND 12 TREATMENT STAFF MEMBERS. THE CUSTODIAL INSTITUTION (COMPLEX) SAMPLE WAS COMPOSED OF 26 CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS AND 18 TREATMENT STAFF MEMBERS. EACH STAFF MEMBER PARTICIPATING IN THE STUDY WAS GIVEN THE 300 ITEM ADJECTIVE CHECK LIST AND ASKED TO GIVE HIS CONCEPTION OF 'AVERAGE INMATE' AND 'IDEAL INMATE'. SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES WERE FOUND IN THE ATTITUDES OF TREATMENT AND CUSTODIAL STAFFS IN CUSTODIAL INSTITUTIONS AND BETWEEN TREATMENT AND CUSTODIAL PERSONNEL IN REHABILITATIVE SETTINGS. THE AUTHORS CONCLUDE THAT THESE DISCREPANCIES POINT UP STRONGLY THE NEED FOR INTENSIFIED EFFORTS AT IN-SERVICE TRAINING. STATISTICS DEPICTING STAFF RATINGS ARE INCLUDED. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)