Blog 21

National Association of Female Correctional Officers is basically a nonprofit organization. This organization goals are to improve the working conditions in the prisons. They aiming towards improving the conditions in “prisons, jails, and correctional facilities.” In the reading, Briton also address the conditions of these institutions. He too, argued for implication for change in the prisons and correctional facilities. Since prison have been created women have experienced many different stereotypes and issues. Women have been viewed in many different ways from society and even their colleagues. In correctional facilities women experience sexual harassment and sexual assault. Women also, experience more rumors than men do in the facility as well. Although, men guards can also be accused of sexual harassment, women in men prison receive more. This organization is aiming towards preventing sexual assault and harassment in these types of facilities. Just like in the previous reading, Lois was a female officer that got held hostage by one of the inmates. During the 15 days that she was held hostage she was assaulted. Lois was raped by this inmate and sexually harassed. This is not the only case where female officers are sexually harassed or assaulted by inmates. Inmates see women and view women through a “sexual lens” (PowerPoint). Inmates also, try to seduce women, which makes it harder on a women because that is one more issue that she have to worry about when working in male prisons. The National Association of Female Correctional Officers are trying to make a difference and create a change. This organization continues to try and stop these assaults for women officers while on duty. Britton goal is to always strive for a change. Britton recommends that there be more training for men and women at these institutions so that they get a better understanding of the environment. He addresses that racial and sexual harassment should be addressed as well.

blog 20

Dora Schriro, was the first women “in the job.” Dora was recognized as the first women in the United States to have ran and headed “two state prison systems.” The reading, first off explains the awards and experiences of Dora. She had been in the prison system for a long period of time and achieved a lot. She was announced in the year of 1999 as the “nations top correctional director.” It is uncommon that a women would receive such credentials and recognitions let alone receive head position of a prison system. Dora came to Arizona to take over a “10 prison,” which had about 32,000 inmates. When Dora began working there had been some improvements and immediate changes that had taken place.

Arizona Lewis Prison was recognized as the site that had the longest “prison hostage crisis.” This unfortunate incident lasted for 15 days. Dora Schriro, was in charge and took immediate actions. It was confusion as to finding the basic information needed for the site. Schriro tried asking numerous guards about the tower that was taken hostage. In this tower there were 2 inmates that had taken prison guards hostage. This tower was designed not to have any weapons in it however, it consisted of “arsenal weapons” that was in the hands of the inmates. Schriro, discovered within hours of taking over that the security was “careless” and that there were no “uniformity” in the training.

At Work In The Iron Cage, identified many conditions and issues that can happen in prison. Britton argued that being a correctional officer can be dangerous at times. There are many issues that arise and in this case at the Arizona Lewis Prison, the inmates took two officers hostage. One was immediately hit in the head, and the other was raped. Lois, one of the officers that was held hostage, was new that prison site. While in the tower she opened the tower to a person who appeared to be another guard. The person that appeared to be a guard was an inmate. In relation to Britton arguments, prison systems can be violent and officers are not to trust inmates. Also, the gender stereotypes in the reading, reflected how male displayed women as a sign of weakness. Women are usually thought to react based upon emotions without thinking. Dora Schriro, did not act she tried to think of a plan and she had patience. She didn’t want anyone to get hurt they could have easily taken the building down though she didn’t want the hostages to get hurt. Lois also, while held hostage, thought before acting. Men believe that women act upon emotions as explained earlier, however, Lois did not panic and took everything to extreme she simply acted as if she did not know how to do anything because she was new. She acted as if she didn’t know how to load a rifle, open the gates, etc..

This situation at this prison displayed total institution because the who prison was effected by it. Not only were the prison affected by it but also others. Also, these prisons are considered as a total institution because it consist of “small class organizations” (pg. 3). These inmates lives there whole lives at these institutions. They basically have their own society however, within their society the have restrictions and rules that they have to follow.

Since prisons were created and established there have been gendered organizations. Everything is solely based on gender. According to the reading, male and females differ in these correctional facilities. Women, have more of the disadvantage then what men do. There is more expected of a women then a men because of the non traditional job. Even though the system is trying to be neutral it still is based off of masculinity. Masculinity traditionally reflects a man. In the article, Lois was perceived to be a sign of weakness. In relation to Britton, male colleagues feel that women guards are a sign a weakness. While in court during the hearing and trial of the inmate that had taken her hostage, she became nervous. During the ordeal she though of committing suicide which shows as a weakness to her giving up instead of fighting. On the other hand, men are viewed as masculine and therefore, they can handle more violent situations than a women. This type of occupation is engendered because the prison system have always been viewed as violence. It doesn’t “exist as a neutral bureaucratic entity.” Engendered in the prison is basically formed from “gender, race, class, and sexuality.” However, looking back at the article, Britton recommendations in the reading could have positively affected the situation. Since Britton recommends more training as one of the recommendations, I believe it could have overall helped the situation but do not know if it would have prevented it from happening.

Blog 19

Geena Davis spoke at the National Conference for Media Reform about “gender imbalance.” She began speaking about how when she was younger media still had female and male inequality. In the cartoons when she was younger and still today, she speaks about how there were not that many female characters in the shows. There were mostly male characters. She explains how these programs for children from the past and now, “show highly stereotyped sexualize female characters.” For an example, the smurfs there began with 100 smurfs with no female smurf. When there were one smurf created she was ugly, then one day the female smurf was the blonde beautiful. Then after she was beautiful the fellow smurfs accepted her. The media sends a very disturbing message to young kids which creates a problem for children while growing up. Geena Davis followed up with statistics which resulted in “3 out of 4 character in g rated movies were male.” From 1900 - 2005, characters that were in groups in a movie or film, only 17 percent were women. Throughout history there had only been a few female characters. There has not been any improvement in females being highly stereotyped. That raises a question what messages do these programs and the media send to kids? The message that Davis argued that is being promoted, is “women and girls are worth less then men and boys.” There is a massive unbalance between men and women. Even in the prison system there is still an unbalance in gender. Employment in men and women prisons, there are still more male prison guards then women guards. Also, those who serve as supervisors or wardens consist of mostly men. Male colleagues perceive women to be weaker. They feel that women have to business being there and the job is too dangerous and threatening for women. Male colleagues believe that the workplace is to violent for women. They question the physical strength of a women. Therefore, that put a disadvantage to women working as a correctional officer because women have to take actions in showing that they “can handle violence.” Therefore, women “volunteer for dangerous assignments” (PowerPoint) to prove that they can handle dangerous situations.

Blog 18

In the reading, At Work In The Iron Cage, the author Britton argues that the norm becomes masculine when institutions attempt to establish gender-neutral policies and practices. Being a correctional officer is perceived as a masculine job because it deals heavily with violence and danger and violence is also viewed as masculine. The institution tries to keep it gender neutral by having the same curriculum and have to have equal requirements. However, its norm still remain masculine when training takes place. The training is more masculine because it involves “self defense, firearms, chemical agents, CPR, physical training, and standard use of force” (pg. 93). This type of training gives off masculinity because of the violence. Also, guards have to deal with issues such as sexual harassment still after it is suppose to be established as gender neutral. After training, women still feel less prepared then the male officers because men officers are naturally masculine. On the other hand, women know how to deal with emotional problems something that is not required nor taught in the curriculum. Therefore, by working in women prisons who must deal with emotional problems. According to Britton, women in women prisons are less violent than the males. One of their issues in women prisons is that some of the women are emotional. With that being said, more than likely a male guard would feel less prepared entering a women prison and dealing with the emotional problems. However, women guards prefer working with male inmates because male inmates respect them more than the women. Vice versa, women inmates are more likely to respect the men guards rather then the women. Men and women prisons still differ in many ways. In the reading, Britton states that women prisons may have lower security than the men prison. In some women prisons they are given things that men would never be allowed to get which is like “crochet needles and certain toiletries” (PowerPoint).

Blog 17

By watching this documentary I was able to observe more than what I already know about women prisons and the inmates prison life. From readings and other media, I always pictured women guards as more tough looking or intimidating. However, not in this case from what was viewed from the documentary. The media always portrayed women to look like lesbians or carrying weapons. However, in the video clip most of the correctional officers did not look as if they were masculine. I also noticed in the video that the correctional officers were not walking around with their weapon or intimidating the inmates. Also, by viewing this documentary I was able to learn a lot more about the rules and the procedures that correctional officers have and give. Also, the video displays different areas in prison and how men work as a guard. I did not know that men had to have a women with them at all times when they enter into the women quad. Although it makes a lot of sense, it can help prevent some of the illegal activity that some correctional officers do. It can help prevent rape or accusations of male guard acting in a sexual manner or activity. Overall, this video clip focused on women in prison, correctional officers, and the structures of the prison.

Building a relationship with the inmates can be dangerous for the guards. It can be dangerous in many different aspects for the guards. It is better for correctional officers to stay away from relationships with inmates. However, one way that it can be dangerous for the guards is that it can possibly get them hurt. It also can hurt that person career because if they build a relationship with an inmate that can give the inmate a chance to make up something that can possibly result in corrective action for the guard. Some of the inmates that are incarcerated include: “drug dealers, murderers, thieves, and other trouble makers” (video clip). The officers in correctional facilities have to be, “vigilant in order not to be compromised” (video). The officers have to show that they are not there to be friends. Some officers are inappropriate and break the rules and law. That is when it is investigated and action is placed. Therefore, in order to avoid these accusations it is better not to gain a relationship with an inmate.

Some assumptions that officers had of inmates in the video was that the inmates where there for a reason. The inmates did something that caused them to get locked up so they have to do the time for it. Also, some officers felt that inmates have time for improvement as well that is one of the reason they offer different classes such as dentistry, cosmetics, and costumer service work. Some correctional officers feel that inmates are still human and still have their rights however, they are not free. They feel that they are still human but still have to obey them. When they get out of line they have to easily put them back into place.

In the video clip I observed mostly African American correctional officers. It was mostly women working in the prison as correctional officers. Also, the lead was a women it didn’t show many men working in that particular facility. Furthermore, the warden of that prison facility was a women. As far as for race, there weren’t any issues that had risen. The correctional officers in the video seemed professional and followed the rules. However, the overseer was basically the action of overlooking race and the punishment for that individual would be solely based on the criminal act that was done. Moreover, officers had to use a sense of social control over the inmates. They had to let the inmates know that they are in control and not them. Since inmates are already aware that if they choose to argue or act up they can possibly end up with disciplinary actions. Most inmates do not want to end up with disciplinary actions because that can result them in being locked up with only 45 minutes a day to enjoy being outside. They also, get only a 15 minute shower every two weeks. Therefore, most women don’t try and test correctional officers because they do not want to end up in the eight by eight segregation unit.

Blog 16

The path for male and female correctional officers differed from each other. Starting off, this occupation is normally an occupation that an individual would choose as a career. According to the reading, At Work In The Iron Cage, the author Britton states that in a 1967 survey there were only one percent of the participants that stated they wanted to be a prison guard when they grew up. Still today, there is a low percentage of individuals that want to be a correctional officer when they grow up. Since this type of work pertains to doing the “dirty work” it still remains in high demand. However, it is more of a choice for boys. It is rare that a girl, according to Britton, would want to choose a correctional officer as a career.

Previous work experience also differed from each gender. Being a correctional officer was not necessarily the career choice nor plan for both genders. Therefore, both genders kind of drifted from their past job to correctional facility to become a guard. For instance in the reading, it stated that men were mostly involved in the military. From the military they kind of drifted into being a correctional officer. Not only the military but also those who were police officers or wanted to be police officers drifted into the correctional officer positions. Before the men were correctional officers they usually came from “male dominant, masculine gender typed jobs” (page, 83). They usually came from armed forces and military backgrounds. On the other hand women came from “female dominated, feminine occupations” (page, 83). Most jobs that women came from was more clerical such as “secretaries or clerks” (page, 85). Furthermore, women came from positions that included: “child care, cooking, cashiering, and sales services” (pg. 87). One woman connected baby sitting to the inmates. She basically was stating that working as a correctional officer is like baby sitting however, its baby sitting the inmates. Women who began to work as correctional officers first report scared in the beginning. For women there were basically no connection with their past work experiences with correctional officers.

Social network plays an important role in being a correctional officer for women. Due to media and its take on correctional facilities, women tend to become more scared of becoming a correctional officer. This masculine position is more favored by men instead of women. However, there are opportunities to improve once your in. One thing however, that motivates and attracts men and mostly women to apply is the money and benefits that this occupation offers.

Blog 15

The birth of a penitentiary had risen from the ideal of social change. According to, At Work in the Iron Cage, industrialization and the rise in market economy played an important role in increasing wealth for some and hurting others that were in poverty. This rise caused concern for property crime in wealthy local communities. These wealthy people were afraid that there will be an increase in crime and the “communities carried out punishments through fines, lashings, and shaming” (PowerPoint). Therefore, a penitentiary was established to decrease violence. However, when the first prison was made in Massachusetts in 1785, it was designed to decrease violence but instead it increased it.

Men and women prisons have similarities as well as differences between the two. The similarity that these two penitentiaries have is “discipline around separation, obedience and labor” (Britton, Pg. 26). These two penitentiaries differ in many ways as well. There were different types of penitentiaries which were the Pennsylvania and Auburn style penitentiaries. The Pennsylvania style penitentiary was “completely solitary” (PowerPoint). Women were viewed as being not really women because those who were suppose to be considered real women is to be idle. The other style of penitentiary, auburn was more of a military type of institution. There you couldn’t have any type of eye contact and they required for the inmates to march in “lock steps.” The women in that type of setting were worse then the men inmates. The women were perceived as breaking the stereotype of traditional gender roles. In women prisons they were also more than likely to get raped by male guards. The men were more likely to get punished that included beatings than the women. The women were given more traditional work such as sewing and cooking in penitentiaries. Women were ignored and did not have full right under law. Women were looked at it was their fault of getting raped and cause of initiating men to “masturbate.” In auburn, women were also kept in “over crowded third floor attics” above the institutions kitchen. Today, in Arizona, penitentiaries are very similar to the past because both contain men and women and the purpose of the institutions remains the same. There are individuals in these penitentiaries from different ethnic backgrounds and culture.

Reformers wanted a separation within these penitentiaries because bad habits began to rub off on one another and new habits were acquired. Reformers tried to remold these institutions by “offering a new version of the science of penology” (pg. 33). Reformers viewed each person in the penitentiaries as “unique” and thought that each one needed individual treatment rather then “punishment” (pg.33).

Post 14

Britton uses the theory of gendered organization to frame her research question around the massive problems of “wage gap between men and women workers.” Due to occupational segregation women are still currently getting paid less then men in the workforce. She uses this theory to research why “occupational segregation is so persistent, why jobs pay less for women, and what factors is keeping women at the bottom of the ladder?” Britton based her question on three possible answers which includes “the structure of work organizations, cultural and ideology assumptions, and the agency of workers themselves” (pg. 6.) Britton states that the key assumptions to these problems are that gender is an on going process. Gender is a social construction and society is unequal. Society placed traditional roles on gender since the beginning of time which now results in our society creating jobs that are segregated. Not only do society and gender play a role on this but culture, structure, and agency do as well. According to Britton, organizational structure falls within the form of “policies and practices.” Culture in a way represents these organizations in “gendered ways” which results culture, and structure, interlinking together the process of gender organizations. Structure results in the “bounded context.” Culture, however, results in the effect of “jobs choices.” However, what is meant by Britton when she stated that “organizations are gendered at the level of structure,” is that organizations are built off of “public and private spheres” that is between production and reproduction. Therefore, public and private spheres become gendered concepts by having these organizations that involves work life and private which is things such as “child care, sexuality, eating, and childbirth.” Women are more than likely to get caught in the middle of these spheres because they would have to make decisions within public and private spheres because of child care arrangements and maternity leaves which can weaken their chances of being good candidates for employment.

Blog 13

The first impression that I receive when I hear the word prison guard is a large buff muscular male with an intimidating face. I picture a muscular man who is not afraid to “meet violence with violence” (Britton, pg. 1). In the story, At Work in the Iron Cage, it stated that “the use of violence has always been connected with masculinity” (pg.2). Prison guards are typically displayed to be male traditional careers because traditionally, it is a masculine job.
There are women that work in these types of occupations, however, it is considered to be a nontraditional career for women. In the media, prison most guards look similar to what was described above, however they may look more rough have a lot of tattoos and either carrying a gun or club, possibly both. Women as a prison guard or even a cop draws attention because traditionally, those two types of occupations are male dominant. When I think of a women prison guard I think of a more masculine woman. I think of a woman that is definitely in shape, health wise, with her hair pulled completely back with no make up. Furthermore, I think of a muscular women and the media usually portrays these women as lesbian or with short hair and intimidating face. Whether it is a prison guard or a police officer, the media usually portrays these women to be more muscular than most women. They do not portray a sign of weakness in these women because they have to put on the “tough guy” act.
Regardless of if the site is a male prison or a female prison the image of the correctional officers remains the same. Referring back to “At Work in the Iron Cage,” “the job of an officer is the same in both settings” (pg. 4). In both settings the job of the officer remains the same which is to supervise, enforce, and deal with inmate problems whether it’s violence or any other problems that arise.

Blog 12 Unit C

According to the reading, "At Work In The Iron Cage," women only make up 73 percent of the salary that men receive. This is a sign of occupational segregation. Men and women usually work different jobs however, the jobs that women work are paid less then that of men. Although, there may be laws that prohibit this type of segregation such as equal employment opportunity, men and women still experience employment segregation. Men and women, since childhood, has been stereotypically taught men jobs and women jobs. Women were taught nurturing and feminine jobs while men during their childhoods where always taught masculinity. Since, men were taught masculinity since childhood, they believe their jobs are to be more masculine such as a mechanic. This is all due to “traditional gender roles” that society has placed since the beginning of history for men and women. Some traditional gender roles for women consist of nurses, secretary, librarian. However, for men some traditional gender roles consist of truck driver, firefighter, and security guard.
However, breaking these traditional careers can benefit as well as hurt that person. Some ways that women can benefit from breaking these traditional “male dominant occupations” is one the chance to follow their dream, also they “receive more recognition” (article) if they are performing the job correctly. Also, the pay for working in these non traditional areas is a lot higher than others. Furthermore, by women going in and working in these non traditional career “impacts society.” However, by women coming in and working in these male dominate occupations, may have an impact though I do not believe that men drastically loose or gain from it. By women joining, it put more of a strain on the women because they have to prove themselves that they too, can perform just as well as men do.