The Correctional Orientation of Bermuda Prison Guards: An Assessment of Attitudes Toward Punishment and Rehabilitation

This study surveys all Bermuda correctional officers in an attempt to determine their attitudes toward a custody or rehabilitative orientation in handling inmates. When employing the Cullen, et al. (1989) correctional orientation measures, we found Bermuda officers more supportive of treatment for inmates than American officers surveyed by Cullen, et al. (1989). In addition, we found that officers' education, income, and rank significantly affected attitudes toward rehabilitation. On the other hand, only income was found to be significant with regard to support for a custody orientation. Finally, suggestions are made for future cross-cultural research examining prison guards' correctional orientations.