The National Association for Female Correctional Officiers is an advocacy group for female correctional officers. They want to improve the working conditions of women working in prisons in terms of sexual harassment and implementing new technology. On the About Us section of their website they are a 100% volunteer organization which may mean they are a non-profit. Either way their mission is to improve conditions of which women correctional officers work under. The official title of their Federal Legislative Proposal is the “the Rae and Sexual Assault of Female Correctional Officers Elimination Act of 2008” as stated on their website. They call for a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse or harassment towards women who work in prisons. Other topics the bill addresses are anti-rape, increase available data on sexual incidences, and punish those prisoners who commit such sexual acts. The NAFC calls for the United States Department of Justice to prosecute all rape and sexual harassment charges. To do so, they want federal grants from state and local governments to help with this prosecution. Some of the new technologies this advocacy group wants to instate are more safety and defense equipment. Such items are resistant vests and electric control devices which would deter such sexual harassment.
Although the issues brought up by the National Association for Female Correctional Officers are important and should be considered by legislatures, Britton offers a more general approach to dealing with gendered prisons. She believes prisons need to be restructured because as of now they are gendered due to culture, agency, and structure. She believes prisons are negatively portrayed in the media, as well as prison workers. She believes the jobs assigned to those who work in prisons should not be based on gender because it leads to problems in prisons. Britton does not mention that women officers should be more armed then men. Overall, both the NAFCO and Britton believe our prison system needs much help.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Blog 19
The video starts out with Geena Davis talking about the female stereotypes portrays by cartoons. She starts with Walt Disney talking about Minnie and Daisy duck being the first female cartoons. Then she starting talking about Looney Toons and the Granny was the only females. She talks about the mom from the Jetsons being too skinny; she also bring sup how Miss Piggy had cleavage. She then talks about the Smurfs how Smurfette was only bring into the cartoon because she was going to destroy all the other Smurfs.
She then shifts into Daughters and Dads which is a non-profit that want to boost the self image for young girls. They funded a large study of G rated movies, 3 out 4 characters in G rated movies are males. In 1990-2005, females were highly stereotyped in movies and there was not increase in female characters. The issue is programming for our children have a large imbalance. There is a large disparity between male and females, so what is it teaching our youth?
Women are stereotyped in danzel in distress or helpless females waiting for males to save them. Name one Disney before Milan where the hero was a female? Even in Mulan she portrayed a man in order to be considered heroic. She was banned from the army and her family was shamed because she was female. Not until recently did females start having heroic parts instead of being princesses. Disney shows children that women are supposed to succomb to men and they cannot take care of themselves without males in their life. It is the ageless classic of Prince Charming coming to save the Princess, this is what we teach our children. From a young age, children are shown the stereotypes of males and females.
She then shifts into Daughters and Dads which is a non-profit that want to boost the self image for young girls. They funded a large study of G rated movies, 3 out 4 characters in G rated movies are males. In 1990-2005, females were highly stereotyped in movies and there was not increase in female characters. The issue is programming for our children have a large imbalance. There is a large disparity between male and females, so what is it teaching our youth?
Women are stereotyped in danzel in distress or helpless females waiting for males to save them. Name one Disney before Milan where the hero was a female? Even in Mulan she portrayed a man in order to be considered heroic. She was banned from the army and her family was shamed because she was female. Not until recently did females start having heroic parts instead of being princesses. Disney shows children that women are supposed to succomb to men and they cannot take care of themselves without males in their life. It is the ageless classic of Prince Charming coming to save the Princess, this is what we teach our children. From a young age, children are shown the stereotypes of males and females.
Blog 17
Job training for correctional officers is gender just like many job trainings. Women and men are required to pass the same tests to become a correctional officer, which means there should technically be no discrimination between genders. Most job trainings are very general and not really one on one in more large institutions. Men and women are physically, mentally, and emotionally different. When training to work in a prison men are usually larger and stronger than women, which I am surprised that women are not allowed to carry a weapon to defend themselves. Women and men also think different and may react different to situations. If an inmate is acting up or not listening male may tend to react violentally while women may try to calm the prisoner down. In training, they should teach the new worker how to react to these situations but also why they should react this way. Women are also much more emotional then men, which means women may not be able to handle all the stress of the job.
In male prison facilities most of the training focuses on violent reactions to prisons and physically controlling inmates. In women’s facilities the workers are not taught to deal with prisoners in a violent way. As I have mentioned before women should work in female prisons and males should work in male penitentiaries.
In male prison facilities most of the training focuses on violent reactions to prisons and physically controlling inmates. In women’s facilities the workers are not taught to deal with prisoners in a violent way. As I have mentioned before women should work in female prisons and males should work in male penitentiaries.
Blog 16
Although the general requirements for becoming a corrections officer are the same, male and females have different experiences becoming a corrections officer. In 1982, .1% of young adults wanted to become corrections officers and 95% of these were male. Up until 1970, females were not even allowed to work as corrections officers (Britton 61). Most males come froma military background into the correctional officer positions while women come from clerical work. This is interesting because all correctional officers are required to do the same thing- control the inmates behavior, provide positive guidance, and common body work (dressing, eating, bathing). Although most women do not do the latter in men’s prisons. Some women come from the background of daycare workers and say they feel like they have experience being a corrections officer when they come from working in a day care. Men and women come from different career background but both still end up working as correctional officers.
Since White males can find jobs easier, correctional officer positions are often filed by women and minorities. Most wanted to be police officers but did not make the cut so they become correctional facility workers. Both men and women say pay and benefits are factors to working as correctional officers. Prisons are located in rural areas so there may not be a lot of jobs around. Whereas in a urban or city area there are a lot of potential work places. This job can be appealing to single mothers and divorcees, male or female, because there is job security. Men are motivated to work in prisons to protect their families and keep criminals off the street, this was quoted from a male prison worker in the book. Another reason women seem to be motivated to work in prisons because they are motherly in nature and can help inmates, which is something I inferred from the material.
Correctional work may not be for everyone but it does require a high school education. Men and women come from different backgrounds but still end up in this profession.
Since White males can find jobs easier, correctional officer positions are often filed by women and minorities. Most wanted to be police officers but did not make the cut so they become correctional facility workers. Both men and women say pay and benefits are factors to working as correctional officers. Prisons are located in rural areas so there may not be a lot of jobs around. Whereas in a urban or city area there are a lot of potential work places. This job can be appealing to single mothers and divorcees, male or female, because there is job security. Men are motivated to work in prisons to protect their families and keep criminals off the street, this was quoted from a male prison worker in the book. Another reason women seem to be motivated to work in prisons because they are motherly in nature and can help inmates, which is something I inferred from the material.
Correctional work may not be for everyone but it does require a high school education. Men and women come from different backgrounds but still end up in this profession.
Blog 15
. Women and men have not always been equal in the history of the United States and their experiences in prisons are no different. Men usually committed the crimes so most prisons were just for males. In early women’s prisons they were more rehabilitation centers. Many saw women who committed crime must worse than male criminals because women were not supposed to be dominant. It was believed that women need more rehabilitation than men because they were more emotional and more susceptible. Women are more open to personal treatment and can be influenced easily by kindness (Britton 38). In some sense they saw females as easily influenced and though they could be changed through rehabilitation.
A prison or rehabilitation center called Bedford Hills had the female inmates “gardening, raising livestock, and institutional construction projects” and this was called the family system. The prison was set up like a cottage and were supposed to be as home like as possible. Women’s prisons were often less crowded and not overpopulated. They were also more laidback and relaxed in nature. It should be noted that back then most prison workers were male so there was sexual assault and abuse towards the female inmates.
Men’s prisons have stayed the same but the types of criminals in prison has not changed. Prisons now are filled with some severe criminals and mostly non-violent drug offenders. A huge reason of why prison are overpopulated are because of marijuana laws. Male prisons have always been strict and still are today.
Arizona has been different because our state is relatively new compared to the rest of the country. Arizona always had a lot of women inmates which makes us different from other states. Arizona is similar to other states because as the number of men going to prison is going down the number of females being imprisoned is going up. We are seeing more and more women commit crimes all over the country.
A prison or rehabilitation center called Bedford Hills had the female inmates “gardening, raising livestock, and institutional construction projects” and this was called the family system. The prison was set up like a cottage and were supposed to be as home like as possible. Women’s prisons were often less crowded and not overpopulated. They were also more laidback and relaxed in nature. It should be noted that back then most prison workers were male so there was sexual assault and abuse towards the female inmates.
Men’s prisons have stayed the same but the types of criminals in prison has not changed. Prisons now are filled with some severe criminals and mostly non-violent drug offenders. A huge reason of why prison are overpopulated are because of marijuana laws. Male prisons have always been strict and still are today.
Arizona has been different because our state is relatively new compared to the rest of the country. Arizona always had a lot of women inmates which makes us different from other states. Arizona is similar to other states because as the number of men going to prison is going down the number of females being imprisoned is going up. We are seeing more and more women commit crimes all over the country.
Blog 14
According the Britton, men and women have the same values when it comes to job characteristics. Things at the top of the list are “salary, autonomy, prestige, and location” which are understandable for anyone regardless of gender, race, class, and prior work history (Britton 8). With this being said then why do women make up 47% of the work place but only receive 73% of male wages?
This happens because organizations are gendered, no matter in the public or private sector. An example is in the book when males and females both work in the same prison but the women are given more clerical work while the men have more contact with the prisoners. Gendering through organizational structure means the work lives and private lives of the employees are separate. Activities such as “childbirth, child care, eating, and sleeping” should be left out of the workplace. How this becomes gendered is that women become more responsible for domestic tasks because they are usually responsible for childbirth and then childcare. Women sometimes do not accept job promotions because they are burdens with domestic tasks as well. Their upward mobility is limited because they must care for their family while males “enjoy much greater freedom from the distraction of the private sphere” (Britton 8). Meaning they can work overtime or take promotions because they do not have to worry about taking care of a family.
Culture is another factor of gendering in an organization because women are often stereotyped into certain roles. Women are supposed to be nurturing, motherly, and kind; they should have jobs such as “kindergarten and elementary school teachers (Britton 9). On the other hand men are supposed to be tough and manly and hold dangerous jobs. These social norms have become our culture and this is why women traditional fill jobs that are not physically demanding and are helpful to others. Hopefully, women can continue to break our cultural norms and fill more non traditional jobs.
Finally, organizations can be gendered through agency. Which refers to the interactions between workers. Men feel more dominant in male dominated careers while women tend to be in charge in traditionally female roles. If a female is successful and high in a corporation or typically male dominated field, they are considered a “bitch” and other males do no like her. Males will feel threatened by her and will celebrate her downfall. In corporations women who work as secretaries or do clerical work are praised because that this the type of work they should be doing.
Organizations are structured intentionally and unintentionally through structure, culture, and agency making it hard for women to break into typically male dominated careers and limiting their upward mobility.
This happens because organizations are gendered, no matter in the public or private sector. An example is in the book when males and females both work in the same prison but the women are given more clerical work while the men have more contact with the prisoners. Gendering through organizational structure means the work lives and private lives of the employees are separate. Activities such as “childbirth, child care, eating, and sleeping” should be left out of the workplace. How this becomes gendered is that women become more responsible for domestic tasks because they are usually responsible for childbirth and then childcare. Women sometimes do not accept job promotions because they are burdens with domestic tasks as well. Their upward mobility is limited because they must care for their family while males “enjoy much greater freedom from the distraction of the private sphere” (Britton 8). Meaning they can work overtime or take promotions because they do not have to worry about taking care of a family.
Culture is another factor of gendering in an organization because women are often stereotyped into certain roles. Women are supposed to be nurturing, motherly, and kind; they should have jobs such as “kindergarten and elementary school teachers (Britton 9). On the other hand men are supposed to be tough and manly and hold dangerous jobs. These social norms have become our culture and this is why women traditional fill jobs that are not physically demanding and are helpful to others. Hopefully, women can continue to break our cultural norms and fill more non traditional jobs.
Finally, organizations can be gendered through agency. Which refers to the interactions between workers. Men feel more dominant in male dominated careers while women tend to be in charge in traditionally female roles. If a female is successful and high in a corporation or typically male dominated field, they are considered a “bitch” and other males do no like her. Males will feel threatened by her and will celebrate her downfall. In corporations women who work as secretaries or do clerical work are praised because that this the type of work they should be doing.
Organizations are structured intentionally and unintentionally through structure, culture, and agency making it hard for women to break into typically male dominated careers and limiting their upward mobility.
Blog 13
I do not think I would have ever considered women working in prisons if I did not know someone who did. I used to work with an older woman whose daughter worked in a prison. He daughter was married and actually made a lot more money than her husband because of her job. She worked unarmed just as Dana Britton states in her book At Work in the Iron Cage, “correctional officers who work in inmate living areas are always unarmed (Britton 2). Her daughter worked in the prison for six years before she was held hostage but some inmates, after this experience she quit the prison. After reading chapters one and two in the Britton book, I wonder if she was targeted because she was a female. I am sure I am not the only one who thought this, could her male coworkers thought the same thing?
In the media female police officers or those who work in prisons are often stereotyped as masculine with a rough attitude, similar to males. It seems that media portrays women this was because they have to be strong to control the prisoners. Basically media places a woman in the role even though all their features are masculine, so one may ask why even place a women in this role? Similar to females who play roles of attorneys; they are single, non very feminine women. In reality, females make 69% less of what males make working as attorneys (Britton 5) Women who work in law generally work in family law, public defense, and government law while men work in corporate law. Corporate law makes significantly more than the other fields, allowing men to make more money because they usually occupy these careers. Media seems to show women in men’s careers need to be masculine in order to succeed.
An interesting point brought up in the book is about men and women committing crimes; women are look down upon more because it is out of their nature. Women are also look down upon more when there is relationships between prison and prison guard. Women are blamed for the scandal if it results in a pregnancy. Males can be feared more then women’s prisons than in male prisons because of sexual abuse. It is more likely for male guards to sexual abuse female prisoners than male prisoners. All in all, I believe female guards in female prisons and male guards in male prisons would be more effective.
In the media female police officers or those who work in prisons are often stereotyped as masculine with a rough attitude, similar to males. It seems that media portrays women this was because they have to be strong to control the prisoners. Basically media places a woman in the role even though all their features are masculine, so one may ask why even place a women in this role? Similar to females who play roles of attorneys; they are single, non very feminine women. In reality, females make 69% less of what males make working as attorneys (Britton 5) Women who work in law generally work in family law, public defense, and government law while men work in corporate law. Corporate law makes significantly more than the other fields, allowing men to make more money because they usually occupy these careers. Media seems to show women in men’s careers need to be masculine in order to succeed.
An interesting point brought up in the book is about men and women committing crimes; women are look down upon more because it is out of their nature. Women are also look down upon more when there is relationships between prison and prison guard. Women are blamed for the scandal if it results in a pregnancy. Males can be feared more then women’s prisons than in male prisons because of sexual abuse. It is more likely for male guards to sexual abuse female prisoners than male prisoners. All in all, I believe female guards in female prisons and male guards in male prisons would be more effective.
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