Female Correctional Officers

There have been several arguments over the years as to why women should not be employed as correctional officers. Reasons for the opposition include a belief that women are physically weaker than men and can’t hold their own in a fight with male inmates — a fear that women could fall prey to an inmate and be raped by those sexually deprived and predatory male inmates.

Lastly, an overall assumption that women are mentally weak and unable to handle the mental challenges of working in an all-male prison environment.

“GOOD OLD BOYS”

The majority of excuses for the failure to hire women in the correctional setting could be the old school, “good old boys club” mentality from the 1970’s era. During my own career in the corrections industry, I

Some male inmates respect female officers and have no issue with them. While other male inmates are resentful of them working among a male population.

A female officer will utilize various strategies when presenting themselves in different correctional situations. A “Normative- feminine presentation” is typically the officer who is perceived as most feminine in appearance and least aggressive in attitude. In contrast, a “hyper-masculine” female officer is viewed as being aggressive, unbending and masculine in appearance.

Depending on how a female guard handles herself with the male inmate population, she will either gain or lose respect. Interestingly, recent studies show that a Normative-feminine presentation is the most accepted and conducive for cohesiveness while working among a male population. The balanced, calm, relaxed and communicative manner of interaction has positive results among the inmate population. Sometimes the perception of being overly inmate-friendly can cause resentment among male correctional officers who prefer a more masculine and dominant dynamic of policing. However, a balanced approach with inmates can create a calm atmosphere within a housing unit. This type of presence and authority makes for establishing mutual respect and compliance from the

Often the female officer with harsh, less feminine characteristics, abrupt, unapproachable, hardcore, aggressive energy and controlling presence will be met with hostility from inmates and even male colleagues. This response from inmate population is not to her outward appearance, but, to the female officer who attempts to heavily overcompensate for her gender through demanding and commanding with no flexibility.

AN OFFICER TO BE RESPECTED

Inmate perceptions of female officers can be positive or negative dependent upon the interaction. If inmates are held accountable with the expectation of having appropriate and respectful interactions with the females who are guarding them, there will be a higher potential for cohesiveness among inmates and officers. The female officer will then be viewed as simply the officer who is to be respected.

Women who enter the profession of corrections must face a number of obstacles. While the challenge of gender-bias is certainly present, it does not have to preclude the female officer from effectively accomplishing their job. The woman who succeeds in the field of corrections will adapt through fostering her internal fortitude and mental toughness so she can navigate the many challenges she faces