Understanding the Issues of Contraband Items and The Daily Lives of Correctional Officers

Mayanna E. Weed
Dr. Meghann Lucy-Mulayim, Faculty Mentor

Within the prison system there are a variety of problems that correctional officers face, including contraband items, such as drugs, alcohol, and weapons. Previous research includes some connections to contraband and officers as conduits of contraband. Though, these researchers do not often directly engage with officers to try to find the reasons as to why this might be occurring, or even what their daily duties might include. Some research has tied contraband to correctional officers’ well-being which was shown in a survey that had connected high contraband within prisons to low morale.This study plans to explore daily duties of correctional officers to better understand the choices they make when conducting a search or removing contraband items from inmates’ cells. Using a qualitative, interview-based study method and observations, it aims to provide an in-depth understanding of correctional officers’ decisions while being involved in a potentially dangerous work environment.

Keywords: Contraband, Correctional officers, Mental health, Cell searches, Weapons, Daily activities, Qualitative, Dangerous work environment

Topic(s):Justice Systems
Sociology

Presentation Type: Oral Presentation

Session: TBA
Location: TBA
Time: TBA