ABSTRACT
While the conditions that breed dissatisfaction among correction officers force them to develop techniques for coping with their day-to-day problems, the search for rewards represents the guard’s attempt to find meaning in what he does-a meaning capable of sustaining his long term commitment to his chosen occupation. To discover the rewards of being a guard, each officer was asked to identify both the best and the most satisfying thing about
his work. These responses were categorized according to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.1 In addition, eight predetermined areas (again representative of Maslow’s hierarchy) were explored to generate impressions concerning the potential satis factions of the work (Table 8.1 summarizes these responses). In adjusting to their work environment, correction officers learn to adapt their expectations to the realities of their workplace. Most gladly take what it has to offer and seemingly learn not to expect what it is “unable” to provide. That guards perceive limited possibilities for satisfaction in the work is also suggested by the fact that about 25% of the officers said that there was “nothing” about their work they could characterize as “most satisfying.”
