SOC371H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Prison Officer, Situation Awareness, Handcuffs
Document Summary
Discuss some of the main research themes on correctional officers. Highlight how officers are actually disciplined to be docile bodies. Discuss the role of surveillance cameras to correctional work. Explore some of the aspects of correctional officer training. Identify and explain how a winning mentality is produced during correctional officer training. What impact does this have on how they interact with inmates: they are trained that if there is an altercation they always have to demonstrate their force. Explain the types of role conflicts officers face when dealing with mentally ill inmates: using a treatment model contradicts with the view that they have to control their inmates. Identify and explain why correctional officer work is inherently risky. What strategies to officers have to reduce the riskiness of their job: use force in a way but not look like they are doing much. Research looks at whether there is a difference between guards who are more rehabilitative or security focused.
