The Impact of Correctional Officer Counter-Stereotypes on the U.S. Public’s Perceptions of Dynamic Security

Dynamic security is the Scandinavian correctional model’s concept of fostering positive, professional relationships between officers and incarcerated individuals, which is new to the United States’ correctional policy. Given its novelty to the U.S,, extant evidence on the extent to which dynamic security is publicly supported—let alone what factors may significantly impact levels of support—is nascent. Additionally, a developing literature suggests that correctional officers are not viewed positively in the United States, which may be inhibiting progress toward implementing components of the Scandinavian model in U.S. correctional contexts. In this U.S.-based survey (n = 1,465), there was robust support for integrating dynamic security into correctional practice. Through a survey experiment, exposure to a counter-stereotypical narrative of a correctional officer significantly increased the extent to which correctional officers were perceived to be compassionate. Supplemental analyses suggest that counter-stereotype exposure increased beliefs that investing in the well-being of incarcerated individuals may improve that of officers. These results highlight the potential importance of perceived efficacy of correctional staff in supporting dynamic security.