A Study of Modernized Personnel Training in Corrections: An Assessment of the Correctional Officer Pre-Service Training in Texas

Purpose: The purpose for this applied research project is threefold. First, it explores and describes the ideal components of a modernized correctional officer pre-service training program obtained from the literature. Second, it assesses the correctional officer pre-service training program at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice using the ideal components. Third, it provides recommendations for improving the correctional officer pre-service training program at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Method: This study uses a case study methodology. This case study utilized a single method of data collection called document analysis. Analyzing documents provided the opportunity to review and analyze the existing content that is covered during the correctional officer pre-service training with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ). Findings: The results indicate evidence to support the presence of six out of the eleven elements of a modernized pre-service training program with the current TDCJ correctional officer pre-service training. Of the Offender Management Training component, the following four elements indicate evidence of support: (1) observing offender movements and reading situations, (2) sexual abuse awareness, (3) special inmate populations, and (4) recognizing manipulation. Of the Prison Environment and Cultural Training component, the following two elements indicate evidence of support: (5) prison culture and correctional officer working personality and (6) prison environment and working conditions. However, there is no evidence to support the presence of five out of the eleven elements of a modernized pre-service training program with the current TDCJ correctional officer pre-service training. Of the Offender Management Training component, the following three elements indicate no evidence of support: (1) basic counseling, (2) risk-need-responsivity and case management, and (3) substance abuse awareness. Of the Interpersonal Skills Training component, the following two elements indicate no evidence of support: (4) identification and definitions of interpersonal skills and (5) strategies on how to effectively implement and exhibit interpersonal skills. The TDCJ correctional officer pre-service training program could be improved if all of the components and elements of a modernized pre-service training program were present.

Name thesis:degree_name

Masters in Public Administration

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Public Administration

Grantor

Texas State University

Year dc:date.issued

2016

Author dc:creator

• Miller, Katherine B.

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Shields, Patricia M.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• De Soto, William
• Scott, Brendan S.

• corrections
• training
• criminal justice
• Texas
• personnel
• TDCJ

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10877/6001

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digital.library.txst.edu:10877/6001