RT Article
T1 Nefarious and Disconcerting Motivations for Choosing a Correctional Officer Position: A Deviant Case Analysis
JF Criminal justice and behavior
VO 50
IS 10
SP 1506
OP 1525
A1 Burton, Alexander L.
A2 Jonson, Cheryl Lero
A2 M. Petrich, Damon
A2 Miller, William T. 1941-
LA English
YR 2023
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1859193218
AB Most research finds that individuals are drawn to the correctional officer occupation for the pay and benefits or because it provides a new and exciting opportunity. However, these are not the only interests for choosing a correctional officer position. The current study draws on a sample of pre-service correctional officers surveyed prior to beginning their jobs (N = 673). In the spirit of the deviant case method, we focus on a subset of our sample who provided problematic motivations for becoming officers (n = 38). Using a thematic analytic approach, we identified five broad themes within this nefariously/disconcertingly motivated sample: use of force, punitive focus, power and control, cavalier ulterior motives, and problematic social boundaries. We theorize, based on prior research, that these individuals could constitute a meaningful minority that may contribute to the detriment of both their organizations and those they are overseeing. Future research should explore this possibility.
K1 deviant case analysis
K1 Prisons
K1 corrections officers
K1 career motivations
DO 10.1177/00938548231187415