Satisfied in the Jail?

Abstract

This study investigated the predictors of job satisfaction among 373 jail correctional officers in one state in the Northeast. The research questions were guided by the plethora of literature on the workplace experiences of prison correctional officers, including the “Importation-Differential Experiences” and “Work-Role Prisonization” models. This study advances the literature on the workplace experiences of correctional officers by focusing on officers who work in a jail setting. The results indicated that for jail correctional officers in this study, a lower level of education, greater supervisory support, lower job stress and lower general stress were significant predictors of higher job satisfaction. Based on the findings, suggestions are made for future research.