Becoming one of us: a qualitative examination of new correctional officer socialization

Purpose This research examines the informal socialization process for new members of a closed occupational culture. Design/methodology/approach The research depends on ethnographic research, specifically participant observation supplemented by open-ended interviews. Findings The findings reveal conflict between the formal values of the organization and the informal values of the occupational culture within that organization. Further, the research reveals the ways in which new employees are informally socialized to adopt the occupational values over the organizational values. Originality/value True ethnographic research is virtually nonexistent within a prison setting due to the closed nature of the setting. This research is unique in its ability to examine correctional officer culture through this rich methodology.