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The Correctional Orientation of “Child Savers”: The Level, Sources, and Impact of Support for Rehabilitation Among Juvenile Correctional Workers

BLEVINS, KRISTIE RENEE
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1083355610

Abstract Details

2004, PhD, University of Cincinnati, Education : Criminal Justice.
Prior to the 1970s, criminologists studying correctional issues focused almost exclusively on offenders. However, beginning in the late 1970s, there was a series of studies investigating those who work in the field of corrections. This research has explored how correctional workers view and react to their jobs, especially in terms of correctional orientation, work stress, and job satisfaction. However, the literature on correctional workers is still lacking in one important area. Specifically, the vast majority of research on correctional workers has been conducted in adult facilities; by contrast, assessments of those working in juvenile facilities are limited. Based on previous literature of correctional workers, this dissertation was an exploratory study to examine the levels, sources, and potential impact of the correctional orientations among a sample of juvenile correctional workers. Using a secondary dataset comprised of self-report surveys from 195 juvenile correctional workers across the state of Ohio, the results revealed that the correctional orientations of these workers are complex. Similar to findings from samples of individuals working in adult facilities, these workers supported both rehabilitative and custodial sentiments. However, support for rehabilitation was secondary to custodial concerns. Considering the underlying rehabilitative mission of the American juvenile justice system, the higher levels of support for custodial statements were unexpected. Further, examinations of the possible sources of these orientations indicated that there was a large degree of consensus regarding rehabilitation. Support for custody, however, varied primarily by individual characteristics. The potential influence of correctional orientation on work stress, job satisfaction, and use of physical force was also investigated. Overall, these workers had moderate amounts of both job stress and satisfaction. These levels were similar to those observed in other samples of correctional workers, and they varied by both work-related variables and individual characteristics. However, efforts to identify sources of physical force based on the sample’s individual attributes and work-related experiences were less successful. Neither correctional orientation was significantly related to any of the work reactions examined. The implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Dr. Francis Cullen (Advisor)
146 p.
Sociology, Criminology and Penology
juvenile corrections

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • BLEVINS, K. R. (2004). The Correctional Orientation of “Child Savers”: The Level, Sources, and Impact of Support for Rehabilitation Among Juvenile Correctional Workers [Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1083355610

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • BLEVINS, KRISTIE. The Correctional Orientation of “Child Savers”: The Level, Sources, and Impact of Support for Rehabilitation Among Juvenile Correctional Workers. 2004. University of Cincinnati, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1083355610.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • BLEVINS, KRISTIE. "The Correctional Orientation of “Child Savers”: The Level, Sources, and Impact of Support for Rehabilitation Among Juvenile Correctional Workers." Doctoral dissertation, University of Cincinnati, 2004. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ucin1083355610

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ucin1083355610
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© 2004, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by University of Cincinnati and OhioLINK.