Tackling Correctional Corruption

Abstract

It is widely recognized that we live in an increasingly unsafe society, but the study of security and crime prevention has lagged behind in its importance on the political agenda and has not matched the level of public concern. Th is exciting series aims to address these issues looking at topics such as crime control, policing, security, theft, workplace violence and crime, fear of crime, civil disorder, white collar crime and anti-social behaviour. International in perspective, providing critically and theoretically-informed work, and edited by a leading scholar in the fi eld, this series will advance new understandings of crime prevention and security management.

In Search of Generativity in Prison Officer Work

“…I just mainly try to make sure that everything's fine in this environment. (M) Possible ambiguity surrounding the appropriateness of relationships with prisoners (see Goldsmith, Halsey, & Groves, 2016) therefore led some officers to adopt a strict "us" versus "them" approach-something which mitigated against a generative stance but which was seen as critical to surviving in the job: "I'm not your friend, I'm here to do a job . .…”

Perception of Correctional Officers’ Legitimacy in South African Correctional Centers

“…These compromises (or concessions) are sometimes rooted in corruption, which sometimes manifest in the form of trafficking of contraband into correctional centers, assaults, excessive use of force, and misuse of offender information, to mention a few. These factors account for the reasons correctional officers sometimes turn a blind eye to certain breaches within correctional centers (Goldsmith et al, 2018). Although corruption is illegal in the corrections, we contend that it is a key instrumental factor that could shape offenders' judgment of the legitimacy of correctional officers.…”

“…They require some degree of compromise. The asymmetric power relations between correctional officers and offenders often create a dynamic order that accommodates conflict between the two groups, as well as fosters some compromises (i.e., a give and take) needed to enjoy relative order in the facility (Goldsmith et al, 2018). These compromises (or concessions) are sometimes rooted in corruption, which sometimes manifest in the form of trafficking of contraband into correctional centers, assaults, excessive use of force, and misuse of offender information, to mention a few.…”

Deconstructing NPM: Public Service Values in a Global Public Administration

“…As a consequence of NPM, public officials are less involved in delivering public goods as well as exercising decreased legislative and management oversight regarding regulations and reporting responsibilities. Abdicating control over the discharge of public sector duties in conjunction with the loss of fiscal expenditures of taxpayer funds, whether to proprietary or nonprofit organizations, has led to newly revealed sources of illegal and unethical activity, and the research in this area is just beginning (Goldsmith et al 2018). To repeat an earlier admonition, every change begets an unintended consequence.…”