Inmate Responses to Correctional Officer Deviance: A Model of Its Dynamic Nature. Issue 2 (2nd April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ross, Jeffrey Ian; Tewksbury, Richard; Rolfe, Shawn M.
• Is Part Of: Corrections. Volume 1:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 139
• Page End: 153
• Publication Date: 2016-04-02
• Subjects: Prisons -- prisoners -- correctional officers -- prisoner behavior -- workplace deviance/misconduct; Punishment -- United States -- Periodicals; Criminal justice, Administration of -- United States -- Periodicals; 364.60973
• DOI: 10.1080/23774657.2016.1178082
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2377-4657

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The relationship between correctional officers (COs) and prisoners is dynamic and bounded by a unique context. COs engage in numerous sanctioned and unsanctioned behaviors within their correctional institution. The latter actions are typically referred to as deviant behavior. COs' deviance can have a debilitating effect not only on other officers, correctional workers, the administration, but also inmates and the institution as a whole. This article specifies a model of the interaction between COs' deviance and inmate reactions to these kinds of behaviors. In general, the study argues that convicts can respond in four different, but interrelated ways: obedience or deference to authority, apathy, adaptation, and resistance. Acts of prisoners resisting can further lead to COs' deviant behaviors to continue within the correctional institution.