In Search of Generativity in Prison Officer Work

Halsey, Mark; Deegan, Simone

doi:10.1177/0032885516679380

Cited by 18 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 53 publications

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“…They reported that this tension was especially heightened during labor and delivery. Our study is consistent with previous research on COs (Aiello 2013;Aiello 2016;Armstrong and Griffin 2004;Bartels and Gaffney 2011;Halsey and Deegan 2017;Schroeder and Bell 2005a, b). Bartels and Gaffney (2011), for example, found that COs experience role conflict and heightened stress when they are asked to incorporate human services work while also maintaining strict security protocols.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…COs in this study described feeling role conflict-tension between the custodial responsibilities of the job and providing human services and rehabilitation services to people in prison-in their interactions with pregnant women (Aiello 2013;Armstrong and Griffin 2004;Finn 1998;Halsey and Deegan 2017;Misis et al 2013). They reported that this tension was especially heightened during labor and delivery.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

“…Supporting women in labor is not typically part of a COs' job, and physical touch or emotionally engaging with incarcerated people in their care is often prohibited through prison policies (Halsey and Deegan 2017;Wismont 2000). Within the correctional setting, boundary violations are violations of the rules and regulations that are put in place to maintain professional distance between COs and people in prison (Marquart et al 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Corrections officers’ knowledge and perspectives of maternal and child health policies and programs for pregnant women in prison

2020

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Background: In response to the dramatic increase in the number of women incarcerated in the United Statesand a growing awareness that a small proportion of women enter prison pregnant and have unique health needs-some prisons have implemented policies and programs to support pregnant women (defined here as maternal and child health [MCH] policies and programs). Corrections officers (COs) are key stakeholders in the successful implementation of prison policies and programs. Yet, little empirical research has examined prison COs' knowledge and perspectives of MCH policies and programs, particularly the impact such policies and programs have on COs' primary job responsibility of maintaining safety and security. The objective of this mixed-methods study was to understand COs' knowledge and perspectives of MCH policies and programs in one state prison, with a specific emphasis on the prison's pregnancy and birth support (doula) program. Results: Thirty-eight COs at a single large, Midwestern women's prison completed an online survey, and eight of these COs participated in an individual, in-person qualitative interview. Results indicated that COs' perspectives on MCH policies and programs were generally positive. Most COs strongly approved of the prison's doula program and the practice of not restraining pregnant women. COs reported that MCH policies and programs did not interfere, and in some cases helped, with their primary job task of maintaining safety and security. Conclusions: Findings support expansion of MCH programs and policies in prisons, while underscoring the need to offer more CO training and to gather more CO input during program development and implementation. MCH services that provide support to pregnant women that are outside the scope of COs' roles may help reduce CO job demands, improve facility safety, and promote maternal and child health.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Corrections officers’ knowledge and perspectives of maternal and child health policies and programs for pregnant women in prison

2020

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“…In Australia, there is a glaring absence of research on prison staff and professional identity. Few studies focus on the role of correctional officers with the aim of improving prisoner quality of life, prison environments, and the efficiency of prison services for better job satisfaction and outcomes (see Halsey and Deegan, 2016; King, 2009 for notable exceptions). Most studies appear to discuss prison officers in relation to issues of prisoner health (Helfer et al, 2016; Miller et al, 2013), with a handful of studies interested in differences between public and private prison officers (Moyle, 1995; Russell, 1997).…”

Section: Dirty Work and Australian Prisonsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Taint of The Other: Prison Work as ‘Dirty Work’ In Australia

Eriksson

2021

Punishment & Society

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This article explores how prison staff in Australia view their work and how their work is viewed by others, by applying a theoretical framework of ‘dirty work’. ‘Dirty work’ is a social construction that refers to tasks that are ‘physically, socially or morally tainted’ ( Ashforth and Kreiner, 1999 ; Hughes, 1958 ) and this article will apply this concept to prison staff in Australia for the first time. The discussion is based on qualitative research in seven different Australian prisons, ranging from high to low security. The article illustrates how staff responds to working in a ‘dirty’ profession by reframing, refocusing, and recalibrating their daily work tasks; how the staff uniform can be utilised as a status shield and protector from taint; and how the stigma of ‘dirtiness’ tends to foster strong occupational and workgroup cultures which in turn makes cultural change of a profession difficult. The consequences of the dirty work stigma for staff and prisoners are discussed, with a focus on informal interactions, case work and dynamic security.

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“…The concept of generativity is used in research to explore offenders’ desire to “give back” and engage in reparative work or care for others. Halsey and Deegan (2017: 52) define generativity as “the actions of an individual or group that enable others to care in meaningful ways for themselves and their significant others”. Links have been identified between such generativity (acts of care for others) and desistance, leading to the argument that generativity is a crucial part of post-offence interventions (Halsey and Deegan, 2017; Halsey and Harris, 2011; Kashy and Morash, 2022).…”

Section: Restorative Practices and Peer Supportmentioning

confidence: 99%

“I would want to see young people working in here, that’s what I want to see…” how peer support opportunities in youth offending services can support a Child First, trauma-informed, and reparative model of practice for youth justice

Thompson

Spacey

2023

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Purpose This paper aims to explore how peer support can support a combined Child First, trauma-informed and restorative approach for youth justice. While other scholars have identified clashes between these approaches, particularly between Child First and restorative approaches, a focus on reparative practice with peers has been under-explored as a more child-centred model for reparation-focused work. Design/methodology/approach We draw on qualitative data from interviews and surveys undertaken with young people and parents/caregivers in a London youth offending service (YOS). The data was part of a broader mixed-methods study in the YOS that used observational methods alongside surveys and interviews to evaluate the effectiveness of its model of practice. Peer support emerged as a theme. Findings Participants expressed the desire to see young people working and volunteering in the YOS and felt this would help make it a safe and non-threatening space. Young people who had completed their time with the YOS saw themselves as role models with the insight and skills to support others. These young people expressed a strong desire to work in the YOS and, in some cases, to develop long-term careers supporting young people. Originality/value Our research challenges the notion that young people who have been involved in crime struggle to empathise, providing rich examples of their empathic understanding for peers. Peer support opportunities could offer a reconceptualisation of restorative practice that is Child First and trauma-informed. Such opportunities would benefit both the young people being supported and those offering support, building a co-produced approach that is directly informed by the expressed needs and desires of the young people.

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In Search of Generativity in Prison Officer Work

Cited by 18 publications

References 53 publications

Corrections officers’ knowledge and perspectives of maternal and child health policies and programs for pregnant women in prison

Corrections officers’ knowledge and perspectives of maternal and child health policies and programs for pregnant women in prison

The Taint of The Other: Prison Work as ‘Dirty Work’ In Australia

“I would want to see young people working in here, that’s what I want to see…” how peer support opportunities in youth offending services can support a Child First, trauma-informed, and reparative model of practice for youth justice

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