By Claire Gaglione
Correctional officers’ attitudes toward prisoners and correctional orientation are being studied by researchers at the University of Denver.
This is a correlational research study in which the researchers are hoping to answer these primary questions with a recently launched survey:
- Are there any significant correlations between demographic variables and a correctional officer’s attitudes toward prisoners, correctional orientation, etc.?
- Are there significant differences in responses between correctional officers working in the United States versus correctional officers working in the United Kingdom?
The survey, which takes about 10 minutes to complete, looks at how personal demographic factors such as education level, number of years in the field, race and gender, etc. relate to correctional officers’ attitudes toward prisoners and correctional orientation. This study also looks at what level of punishment correctional officers would see fit for offenders in two different crime vignettes.
Responses from correctional officers will be used to examine any correlations that arise between variables. All people who are currently employed as a correctional officer in the United States or the United Kingdom are encouraged to participate, and it is important to note that no identifiable data will be collected from participants.
Results, which researchers plan to share broadly, will be used to inform future efforts in training and support of correctional staff. Ultimately, results will be used to develop interventions that will benefit correctional officers, as well as people incarcerated and other correctional staff.
Click here to complete the survey.
It is anticipated that this research will be shared broadly, submitted for publication, and hopefully presented at the APLS conference in the Spring of 2022 in Denver, Colorado.
Email questions about the study to Claire Gaglione at Claire.Gaglione@du.edu or Dr. Apryl Alexander at Apryl.Alexander@du.edu.