System vs Self: Correctional Officers’ Views on Recidivism

This study examined the extent to which correctional officers attribute recidivism to individual or systemic factors, specifically focusing on their self-reported levels of job satisfaction, role in their job, and stigmatized views toward those incarcerated. It was hypothesized that (1) correctional officers with lower job satisfaction would hold more stigmatized views of the inmates with whom they work, especially if they work in a punitive-focused prison, and (2) correctional officers with lower job satisfaction and higher levels of stigma would be more likely to view recidivism as an individual problem rather than a systemic issue. Findings indicate that correctional officers who reported lower job satisfaction held more stigmatizing views of incarcerated individuals, but that stigmatized views may not be driven by working in a punitive prison. Furthermore, correctional officers working in a more rehabilitative prison setting exhibited little to no stigmatizing attitudes and reported higher job satisfaction. Stigma alone did have a statistically significant relationship to views on recidivism, but recidivism was not found to be driven by these stigmatized views, nor did gender, race, and ethnicity have any significant relationship to recidivism. However, as role/job satisfaction increased, so did correctional officers’ views that recidivism stems from systemic issues. Ultimately, this study finds that recidivism is a complex topic that deserves further exploration if solutions are to be identified.