Blog 13

When I think of the image of prison guards I immediately think of the Stanford Prison Experiment.  The guards became abusive, finding any way to brutally keep the inmates in place.  This has been the belief of people.  Because inmates are believed to be so anarchistic, prison guards are perceived to be burly pillars of strength that know the necessary steps to keep order.  If this description hasn’t already evoked the image of a man it should.  Men are thought to be the ones suitable for prison work and it’s always been thought of as a man’s job.  A woman in this position would probably resemble some manly characteristics.  She would also more likely be dispatched in an area where she has less or no contact with the inmates.  She probably is also expected to rely on the male prison guards for the heavy backup force if needed.  Originally women officers were thought of as “small-minded, intoxicated with their own power, vulgar, and occasionally cruel.” (p 53)

Male officers in female prisons can evoke either an officer and enforcer or someone who abuses his power for sex.  Reports discussed in Chapter Two of Britton discuss pregnancies due to male officers and other inmates. 

A male officer in a male prison is thought of as a custodial enforcer.  While it is known that there can be misuse of powers, they are thought of differently to a degree.  Men are thought to be more rational and have the skill set better adapted to a potentially violent situation in a prison.