The Impact of Women Corrections Officers on the Functioning of Institutions Housing Male Inmates

This is a pilot study that was conducted in 1976and 1977 at the Boulder County Jailin Boulder, Colorado. The study involved survey questionnaires dealing with issues related to the employment of women in corrections lo female staff, male staff. and inmates at the facility. The responses of these three groups indicate that while in certain instances the presence of women on the staff is regarded as a liability due lo their lack of physical strength, in most cases women are an asset to the functioning of correctional institutions. Examples of such contributions include the softening influence women exert on the institutional environment which reduces tension and lessens the likelihood of violent confrontations between inmates and staff. The study concludes [ha/ women can provide a complement to men and work with them as members of corrections staff to contribute to the smooth functioning of the institution.