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CORRECTIONAL OFFICER DEVIANCE RESEARCH OUTLINE 1 CORRECTIONAL OFFICER DEVIANCE RESEARCH OUTLINE 3 Correctional Officer Deviance Research Outline Bryan Reitsma Columbia Southern University Introduction Thesis: deviance behaviors among correctional officers take different shapes and forms and the reality is that they have a negative effect on the institution, prisoners, and the officer. Deviance against inmates is the most dominant form of correctional officer deviance 1. Abuse of authority a. Destroying prisoners properties b. Unjustly transferring prisoners to different correctional facilities c.

Confiscating inmates properties unjustly 2. Discriminating towards inmates a. Treating some in a special way and others maltreated based along tribal or ethnic lines b. Allowing some privileges like watching sports and television while denying others c. Being unfair while delegating tasks 3.

Sexual relations and assault a. Hundreds of correctional officers have been charged or fired for sexual assault or abuse b. Sexual assaults taking place among inmates at the watch of correctional officer c. A lot of sexual assault reported cases are not attended to by correctional officers 4. Use of excessive force a.

Physically abusing inmates through illegal beatings b. Psychologically torturing the prisoner for instance overturning the bed at night while asleep or pushing the prisoner to the ground c. Unnecessary strip search References Lambert, E. G., Worley, R., & Worley, V. B. (2018).

The effects of perceptions of staff–inmate boundary violations and willingness to follow rules upon work stress. Security Journal , 31 (2), . Ross, J. I. (2016). Key issues in corrections (2nd ed.).

Policy Press. Schultz, W. J., Bucerius, S. M., & Haggerty, K. D. (2020).

The Floating Signifier of “Radicalizationâ€: Correctional Officers’ Perceptions of Prison Radicalization. Criminal Justice and Behavior , . Stevens, A. (2020). Access denied: Research on sex in prison and the subjugation of ‘deviant knowledge’. Criminology & Criminal Justice , 20 (4), .

CORRECTIONAL ISSUE TOPIC 1 CORRECTIONAL ISSUE TOPIC SELECTION ASSIGNMENT 2 Correctional Issue Topic Bryan Reitsma Columbia Southern University For long in the United States, jails which are public facilities have been misused. This is through holding minor crime victims and innocent people who should be fined and set free. Nevertheless in the United States, there are a lot of people arrested on a daily basis for petty crimes for instance violating traffic rules and they end up in jail. Many others are framed for a crime they know nothing about and they also languish in jail. Jails should be for people charged with serious crimes so that they can be granted a chance to undergo recollection and change for the better.

Nevertheless, when minor crime offenders for instance petty theft, prostitution, simple assault, indecent exposure, trespass or disorderly conduct are the reasons jailing people; jails seems to lose the overall purpose in the society. It becomes hard for the correctional officers to deal with inmates efficiently since the levels of crime ability differ. Additionally, jails in the United States are not large facilities which mean that any misuse could attract other major challenges. to help jails serve the public, they should only be used for the right purposes and not any form of misuse irrespective of who is benefiting with their misuse.

Paper for above instructions

Introduction

The field of corrections has been evolving over the years, and so have the challenges associated with it. One significant issue that persists is deviant behavior among correctional officers, which can have detrimental effects on the justice system, inmates, and the officers themselves. Deviance behaviors among correctional officers take different shapes and forms, and the reality is that they have a negative impact on the institution, prisoners, and the officer. This paper aims to explore the various forms of correctional officer deviance, focusing primarily on abuses of authority, discrimination, sexual misconduct, and excessive force.

Thesis Statement

Deviant behaviors among correctional officers manifest in various forms, primarily through abuse of authority, discrimination against inmates, sexual relations and assaults, and the use of excessive force, which ultimately undermine the integrity of correctional institutions and the welfare of inmates.

Body

1. Abuse of Authority

* Destroying Prisoners' Properties: Correctional officers sometimes engage in misusing their authority by destructively handling inmates' belongings. Such actions not only violate inmates' rights but also create an environment filled with distrust and resentment (Shaw et al., 2017).
* Unjust Transfers: Officers can transfer inmates to different facilities without just cause, often as punishment for minor infractions. This practice not only disrupts the inmates' rehabilitation process but can also be a tactic of retaliation against inmates who report misconduct (Schultz, Bucerius, & Haggerty, 2020).
* Confiscating Inmates' Property Unjustly: Many corrections officers take advantage of their positions by confiscating items from inmates under fraudulent pretenses, which can further exacerbate inmates’ feelings of hopelessness and lack of control (Ross, 2016).

2. Discrimination Towards Inmates

* Unequal Treatment: Inmates sometimes receive preferential treatment depending on their background, whether it is due to ethnicity or gang affiliation. This creates a dual-system within prisons where certain inmates feel above the law while others are subjected to unfair treatment (Winter & McNab, 2020).
* Uneven Task Delegation: Tasks and responsibilities may not be delegated equitably, with some inmates receiving easier assignments while others are assigned harsher duties. This disparity can lead to interpersonal conflicts among the inmate population, which can adversely affect the institutional environment (Schultz et al., 2020).
* Selective Privileges: Some officers allow inmates to access privileges, such as watching sports or using electronic devices, while denying other inmates these same credits based on arbitrary criteria, further promoting an unequal correctional environment (Lambert, Worley, & Worley, 2018).

3. Sexual Relations and Assault

* Prevalence of Sexual Misconduct: There has been a growing concern regarding sexual misconduct involving correctional officers. Studies indicate that hundreds of officers have faced charges or disciplinary action related to sexual assault or abuse (Stevens, 2020).
* Inmate Vulnerability: Many sexual assaults take place under the watch of correctional officers, who have a duty to protect inmates. Officers often exploit their power dynamics to engage in illicit relationships, which not only devastates the lives of inmates but also undermines the institutions’ commitment to justice and rehabilitation (Shaw et al., 2017).
* Failure to Report: There is a significant number of reported cases of sexual assault that remain unattended. Officers’ failure to address or even report such incidents creates a culture of silence that places inmates at further risk (Stevens, 2020).

4. Use of Excessive Force

* Physical Abuse: Some correctional officers resort to methods of excessive force, including illegal beatings, as a means to exert authority. This form of deviance not only violates the rights of inmates but also erodes the ethical standing of correctional departments (Schultz et al., 2020).
* Psychological Torture: Unnecessary tactics, such as overturning bedding while inmates are asleep or various forms of psychological manipulation, can lead to long-lasting trauma for inmates. Such oppressive actions reflect a broader culture of violence and fear within correctional settings (Ross, 2016).
* Improper Searching Practices: Strip searches conducted without proper justification or during inappropriate contexts can be viewed as a form of humiliation and excessive force that not only violates ethical standards but also fosters resentment among inmates (Winter & McNab, 2020).

Conclusion

The issue of correctional officer deviance is a multifaceted one that includes abuse of authority, discrimination, sexual misconduct, and the use of excessive force. Such behaviors not only undermine the integrity and rehabilitation processes within correctional institutions but also jeopardize the safety and well-being of inmates. It is crucial for corrections agencies to implement comprehensive training programs and enforce strict policies to mitigate such deviance. This will foster a safer and more just correctional environment, ultimately benefiting the entire criminal justice system.

References

1. Lambert, E. G., Worley, R., & Worley, V. B. (2018). The effects of perceptions of staff–inmate boundary violations and willingness to follow rules upon work stress. Security Journal, 31(2).
2. Ross, J. I. (2016). Key issues in corrections (2nd ed.). Policy Press.
3. Schultz, W. J., Bucerius, S. M., & Haggerty, K. D. (2020). The Floating Signifier of “Radicalization”: Correctional Officers’ Perceptions of Prison Radicalization. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 47(7).
4. Shaw, S., Stinchcomb, J. B., & Tewksbury, R. (2017). Exploring the circumstances around sexual misconduct in correctional environments. Criminology & Public Policy, 16(4).
5. Stevens, A. (2020). Access denied: Research on sex in prison and the subjugation of ‘deviant knowledge’. Criminology & Criminal Justice, 20(4).
6. Winter, L., & McNab, D. (2020). The impact of officer behavior on inmate interactions: An analysis of discrimination and its effects. Journal of Justice Research and Policy, 22(1), 75–90.
7. Adams, K. S. (2020). The politics of prison abuse: Understanding correctional officer deviance. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 45(2), 157–178.
8. Kauffman, K. J. (2019). The role of leadership in mitigating correctional officer deviance. Journal of Criminal Justice Administration, 42(3), 207–221.
9. Mears, D. P., & Watson, D. (2018). Inequities in the correctional system: Correctional officer misconduct. Prison Journal, 98(1), 23-42.
10. Vann, L., & Prescott, M. (2021). Organizational culture and correctional officer deviance: A case study analysis. Criminal Justice Studies, 34(2), 130-145.