Correctional leadership: A national survey of executive directors of state-operated adult and juvenile correctional systems.

Abstract

Though correctional leadership issues have been approached by some, few, if any, studies have focused exclusively on the directors of the state operated juvenile and adult correctional systems, and none have focused on the topics of vision, leadership, and rehabilitation with this group. A forty-two item mail questionnaire was used to collect data from the directors of state operated adult and juvenile correctional systems in the United States. Results from this study provided answers and insights to nine research questions: (1) What is the correctional policy model of choice for directors of state correctional systems? (2) What do directors of state correctional systems perceive as the major function of the correctional system? (3) What predictions do directors of state correctional systems have regarding the future of corrections in their states? (4) What do directors of state correctional systems perceive as the major issue in corrections? (5) Do the directors of state correctional systems believe that any treatment intervention "works" with offenders? (6) By what process are directors of state correctional systems selected for their positions? (7) What do directors of state correctional systems believe is the public opinion regarding knowledge of, and support for, the criminal justice system in their state? (8) Who do directors of state correctional systems perceive as being the most influential person(s) in their state concerning correctional issues? (9) What are the similarities and differences in perceptions and opinions of directors of state adult and juvenile correctional systems regarding correctional issues? In conclusion, the correctional management and correctional academic communities were asked to consider a list of fourteen specific recommendations for enhancing correctional leadership and research.