Prison Wardens' Job Satisfaction

Using a national sample, the authors explore the level and determinants of prison wardens' job satisfaction. The data revealed that, both absolutely and compared with other occupational groups, wardens had a high level of job satisfaction. In general, individual characteristics, organizational conditions, previous work experiences, and a prison's regional location did not influence satisfaction scores. Dimensions of the work role, however, were significantly related to job satisfaction. Wardens were more satisfied who had supportive relations, emphasized human services to inmates, and exercised administrative autonomy within their prison.