Explain the unique supervisory challenges that will exist in a prison. What types of employee misbehavior are possible, and how can management guard against them?

Answer 1

Supervisory challenges that exist in a prison include staff recruitment, selection and retention, training and agency succession. Finding and retaining good staff has become a difficult and challenging goal for prison administration. Selection and retention of officers and other staff members is another ongoing problem related to supervisory challenges. It is difficult to find people who want to work with these individuals and keeping these staff members happy while working in this environment is challenging. Training and agency succession are also difficult supervisory challenges. Improving staff training, competencies, work environment, and clarifying the mission of the corrections industry is difficult.

Staff misbehavior include, but is not limited to: insubordination, dereliction of duty, misuse of state or other agency property, conduct unbecoming of a correctional officer, having contraband in your vehicle while on state property, discriminatory harassment, use of position for personal gain, punctuality, etc. Increased employee training can guard against employee misconduct. Fostering a supportive culture in the workplace can also guard against employee misconduct. Establishing a strong anti-harassment policy can prevent employee misconduct. Giving supervisors increased communication skills, and creating support is valuable in guarding against employee misconducts.