Women in Corrections
Women in Corrections Essay
Although it has gotten easier to survive in a male dominated culture, challenges still face women in corrections. Women correction officers must compact with many dissimilar challenges. Earning the respect of a male counterpart; there are staff and inmates who feel that women should not work in male jails or prisons. Correctional women must work extra hard to convey a strong, firm and unwavering disciplinary tactic, yet be professional and reasonably approachable.
The ability to do the same job as a male corrections officer is often questioned. Therefore, inmates constantly challenge the women and male co-workers doubt them. Most women in corrections believe that if their peers and those in their custody see that they work with integrity, are firm and consistent in their approach, and don't show favorites, respect will follow. Another challenge for women in corrections is averting violent incidents. Women have to be even more careful in what situations they put themselves in, for example, isolation from other staff members when they are talking to an inmate.
Lastly, the struggle for women, in any field, is to juggle home and work life. In corrections, it may be even more difficult because of the nature of the work they do. Lt. Sheila Raines says, "Leaving work at work is a problem for females in corrections. A female in corrections gives orders all day. The stress level is high and to leave work at work can be a problem. It is difficult to relax at home to let go of that "take charge mind" with the husband, kids, etc. (Bedard).
What most people in the corrections field finally understand is that women are needed more in prisons than before. Because the female prison population is growing so rapidly, prison administrators are taking a closer look at the conditions and the needs of women in prison. Among the findings regarding female prison facilities are these:
•The majority of women is in prison for nonviolent crimes, either
Although it has gotten easier to survive in a male dominated culture, challenges still face women in corrections. Women correction officers must compact with many dissimilar challenges. Earning the respect of a male counterpart; there are staff and inmates who feel that women should not work in male jails or prisons. Correctional women must work extra hard to convey a strong, firm and unwavering disciplinary tactic, yet be professional and reasonably approachable.
The ability to do the same job as a male corrections officer is often questioned. Therefore, inmates constantly challenge the women and male co-workers doubt them. Most women in corrections believe that if their peers and those in their custody see that they work with integrity, are firm and consistent in their approach, and don't show favorites, respect will follow. Another challenge for women in corrections is averting violent incidents. Women have to be even more careful in what situations they put themselves in, for example, isolation from other staff members when they are talking to an inmate.
Lastly, the struggle for women, in any field, is to juggle home and work life. In corrections, it may be even more difficult because of the nature of the work they do. Lt. Sheila Raines says, "Leaving work at work is a problem for females in corrections. A female in corrections gives orders all day. The stress level is high and to leave work at work can be a problem. It is difficult to relax at home to let go of that "take charge mind" with the husband, kids, etc. (Bedard).
What most people in the corrections field finally understand is that women are needed more in prisons than before. Because the female prison population is growing so rapidly, prison administrators are taking a closer look at the conditions and the needs of women in prison. Among the findings regarding female prison facilities are these:
•The majority of women is in prison for nonviolent crimes, either