ABSTRACT
In examining the potential of the correction officer’s job to provide opportunities for self-fulfilling behaviors, I asked if the nature of the work afforded the officers opportunities to “use their capabilities” and if they thought they “accomplished” anything in their work. In response to both questions, about two-thirds of the officers indicated that they did not contribute sufficiently, often citing the reluc tance of the state to permit them to engage in more than menial tasks:
The institutions and the state are reluctant to let the officer do more than watch, listen and observe. They say you’re better trained and qualified, but they don’t let you do anything. It would be a more interesting job if they let you use your abilities. I’m an official umpire and I often hear guys arguing. I’d like to step in, but the sergeant will say no and if I do, I’ll get written up or fired. That I might be helpful to an inmate is beside the point.
