The feminization of the Community Correction Work force by Jo G. Holland - Case Study Example

Case Study: The Feminization of the Community Corrections Work Force Case Study: The Feminization of the Community Correction Work Force by Jo G. Holland This article argues that in the past, men dominated the work force of the criminal justice system. The entry of women into this work force was initially not welcome to men. Holland asserts that women’s entry into the correction work force have been constrained by factors emanating from the organizational processes involved in correctional agencies and from their male counterparts.

The article uses the elements of promotion, networking and support system, and career aspirations to expound on its research problem. Holland closes the discussion with several insightful conclusions on the challenges likely to face women in corrections work force (Holland, 2008). The research problem of this research article is whether there is balance in the community corrections work force. The study used a number of questions to facilitate a systematic enquiry into the aforementioned research problem.

The first question touches on the roles women have been given while participating in the corrections workforce. The second question enquires into the barriers that women have faced while pursuing careers in the corrections work force. The third question looks into how women counter barriers while engaged in the correctional work force. Support systems that provide opportunities for the enhancement of careers are the object of the fourth question. The last question is on the opportunities that the future holds for women to grow within the community corrections work force (Holland, 2008).

This study’s data analysis used mean and percentages. For example, the average age of women working in the Virginia community correctional workforce is 35 years. Besides age, location is another demographic factor checked for in the analysis include in terms of whether urban or rural. The positions that the analysis considered are deputy and chief probation and parole officer and that of the administrator. The analysis considered the elements of ethnicity and population status (minority or not).

This analysis also enquired whether respondents received mentorship or not. The need for networking among the women working in Virginia DOC was assessed. The analysis measured the percentage of women who received support from other women while participating in the correctional workforce. The study checked for the highest positions that women in the correctional workforce expected (Holland, 2008). The author makes a number of conclusions. She concludes that the correctional work force needs to be expanded in order to augment organizational processes.

The article also concludes that organizational processes need to be facilitated in order to curb the challenges women face in developing careers in the correctional work force. According to Holland, promoting professional networking in correctional agencies would support women in developing careers in the correctional workforce. Respect, equality, education and training, and flexibility would help facilitate women and other minorities in correctional organizations. Coalitions, knowledge, and interaction would help women secure their place in the correctional workforce in the challenging years ahead (Holland, 2008).

I agree with Holland’s conclusions in this study. Expanding the organizational processes involved in the recruitment, hiring and compensation of those who work in correctional agencies would encourage more women to join the work force. Existing literature showing that to the current day women manage most domestic duties is one of the reasons why I agree with Holland that these organizational processes need to be modified. Professional networking supports the growth and development of careers in different professions and it would do the same for women engaged correctional agencies.

Respect and equality are essential for fair treatment of all potential workers in any agency particularly women and minority groups (Holland, 2008). ReferencesHolland, Jo G. (2008). The Feminization of the Community Corrections Work Force. Corrections Today, August 2008.