Blog #18

In Britton's study the correctional officer prison guard job is viewed primarily as a masculine type job, at least as far as the training and perception are concerned. We learned that this job is viewed as so masculine mostly because of the training process. The training process for a prison guard consists of mostly hands on training regarding the ways in which to handle a violent outbreak. It is this training mechanism that promotes the idea of a masculine, violent workplace into the minds of many of the people whom apply. Many people were noted as leaving after the training sessions. The women stated that they left because of the chances of getting hurt or being involved in a violent episode. The men were less likely to admit quitting because of this but it seemed to be the same case none the less. This type of training seems to deter many from joining this career simply because most of these people do not want to be exposed to a job in which their life could potentially be on the line. This seems like a tactic to give the career path of a prison guard more of a manly and masculine outlook, though the job very seldom resorts to violence. Many say that the role of a prison guard can be seen more like the role of a caretaker in which the guard feels obligated to care for these inmates as if they are less than human or as if they require assistance in order to live their life. In men's prisons the prisoners seem to trust in and respect the female guards more than they do the males and many say this could have something to do with the female guards being looked at upon by the prisoners as a motherly or nurturing figure. In female prisons the women seem to disrespect the female officers and rather trust in and respect the male officers because they are looked at as more of an intimidating authority figure. While the training may make the prison guard occupation out to be a gendered career path, it is certainly a position made for both males and females.