The Changing Career of the Correctional Officer: Policy Implications for the 21st Century

by Don Josi PhD, Dale Sechrest PhD

Overview

The late 1990s mark a turning point for correctional systems in the United States. For some time, there has been an intensive effort by corrections to gain the confidence of the public. With increased urbanization, more timely electronic news media reports, and renewed emphasis on human rights, corrections has more and more become the target of a wide variety of attacks. To combat this backlash, correctional agencies have devised a plan that has worked very well for law enforcement, a plan best summed up by a single word: professionalization. This movement has been led by an articulate and tactful group of correctional officials who have stressed a new ideology of the correctional officer occupation.

The Changing Career of the Correctional Officer is a comprehensive, timely, and issue-oriented perspective on this ever-developing field. It articulates the principles upon which correctional practices have evolved with time. Students will find this book of value to discussion and thought regarding the nature of the corrections profession. Administrators, management personnel, and line/staff supervisors seeking information about career development options will find this text useful in focusing and placing their careers in perspective and in providing guidance for professional development.

• Focus on 'a career in flux'
• Substantial discussion for students
• Valuable information for practitioners

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780750699624
Publisher:	Elsevier Science
Publication date:	03/10/1998
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	0.47(w) x 6.00(h) x 9.00(d)

About the Author

Don Josi, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice/Criminology in the Department of Government, Armstrong Atlantic State University, Savannah, Georgia. Dr. Josi has over twenty-five years' experience in the field as a researcher, teacher, and practitioner. His experience encompasses law enforcement, probation work, and publications on juvenile adjudication and substance abuse treatment issues.

Dale Sechrest, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Criminal Justice Department at California State University, San Bernardino. In the ten years before teaching, Dr. Sechrest administered a national program of correctional standards and accreditation with the American Correctional Association. This program now accredits over 1,000 correctional organizations in the US and Canada.

Table of Contents

The Changing Role of the Correctional Officer Personnel Issues Recruitment and Selection Pre- and In-Service Training Post-Secondary Education Career Path Development Management and Organizational Issues Civil Liability Changing Trends - Special Populations Organizational-Related Role Conflicts Technological Change Future Concerns Recommendations and Conclusions Model Program Proposal #1: Correctional Peace Officer Certificate Program Model Program Proposal #2: Educational Assistance Program

Editorial Reviews

The content is on the mark and timely. The approach which the author has taken is extremely informitive and provides much needed and current information for the students who have chosen corrections for their profession.

From the Publisher

Emphasizing professionalization of the field, the authors provide a comprehensive issue-oriented perspective, articulating the principles upon which correctional practices have evolved with time. Students will find this book of value to discussion and thought regarding the nature of the corrections profession. Administrators, management personnel, and line/staff supervisors seeking information about career development options will also find this text useful. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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