How female correctional officers influence the security of an institution

Abstract

This thesis examines the influence that female correctional officers have on the security of an institution. Using data from the 2005 Census of State and Federal Adult Correctional Facilities, different tests were run to test my three hypotheses. First, I hypothesized that lower security-level institutions will employ a higher percent of female correctional officers. This hypothesis was not confirmed based on the data and tests run. My second hypothesis was institutions employing a greater percent of female correctional officers will have a higher disciplinary reporting rate than institutions employing a lower percent of female correctional officers. This hypothesis was supported by the data from the census and the tests run. Third, I hypothesized that the greater the percent of female correctional officers working in an institution, the more violence will be present in that facility. This hypothesis was not supported by the data. This research is important because more and more women are becoming correctional officers with many leading the way for new policies and training protocols. It is time research is done in this area of study to discern the influence, good and bad, females correctional officers have on the institutions in which they work and improve upon morale and training for all correctional officers in an institution.