Prior to beginning work on this discussion read Chapters 1, 2, 3, and 9 in your textbook, the Mastrofski, S. D. (2004) 
Download Mastrofski, S. D. (2004)and Chambers, K. (2012) Download Chambers, K. (2012) articles. Research a minimum of two additional scholarly and/or professional sources (Links to an external site.) on the culture of corrections in your state. (Access the MSCJ Professional Sources guide (Links to an external site.) for assistance with finding appropriate resources.)
As outlined in the readings, the institutional culture of policing impacts decision making. There even exists a subculture within policing organizations that can also impact decisions. This subculture results from the culture that develops among coworkers from working so closely and having such a huge responsibility to each other as corrections personnel. The subculture is further influenced by leadership decisions within the corrections organization.
Oftentimes corrections officers feel as though their hands are tied in the ways in which they can intervene in given situations. Corrections officers feel that policies and legal mandates interfere with their ability to maintain a safe environment. They also feel that both action and inaction may equally lead to risks of litigation against them. This leads to officers finding innovative methods for circumventing policies that can lead to institutional behaviors that do not match policies and mandates.
Drawing on your current professional expertise and utilizing the required and researched sources, create an initial post in which you analyze institutional behavior in your state corrections system.
- Identify your state and explain the general culture of the institutions within it.
- Describe how professionalism can be tied directly to the institutional culture and organizational subculture.
- Analyze the recommendations made for institutional culture changes within the readings and discuss how these changes could be implemented in your state.
Guided Response:Review several of your colleagues’posts and respond to two of your peers, at least one of whom covered a different region than you, by 11:59 p.m. on Day 7 of the week. You are encouraged to post your required replies earlier in the week to promote more meaningful and interactive discourse in this discussion forum.
Compare and contrast the cultural foundation of corrections in your and your classmate’s states. Describe any significant differences in perception(s) of the impact of government on the abilities of corrections officers to effectively carry out their duties. Analyze the suggested solutions to determine whether they are appropriate and manageable given the culture described in the post. Assess how the institutional culture impacts corrections officers’ decision-making.
Continue to monitor the discussion forum until 5:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) on Day 7, and respond with robust dialogue to anyone who replies to your initial
