Wardens’ Perceptions of Prison Sex

• Author: Richard Tewksbury,Christopher Hensley
• Date: 01 June 2005
• Published date: 01 June 2005
• DOI: 10.1177/0032885505276996
• Subject Matter: Articles

10.1177/0032885505276996
THE PRISON JOURN
Hensley, Tewksb
AL / June 2005
ury / WARDENS’ PERCEPTIONS OF PRISON SEX
WARDENS’ PERCEPTIONS OF PRISON SEX
CHRISTOPHER HENSLEY
Morehead State University
RICHARD TEWKSBURY
University of Louisville
Using data gathered from anonymous questionnaires of 226 male and female wardens
from state-operated institutions, the research assesses whether, and to what degree,
individual demographic variables and institutional characteristic variables are
related to wardens’ perceptions of the prevalence of sexual assault in their institu-
tions, the prevalence of inmates’ consensual sexual activities, and wardens’ assess-
ment of the proportion of sexual assaults that come to their attention. The results of the
study show that wardens generally believe sexual activities, consensual and coercive,
are relatively rare in their institutions. Individual and institutional characteristics are
not shown to be statistically significantly related to perceptions of the prevalence of
coercive sexual incidents or frequency of knowledge of sexual assaults. However, four
variables (gender, race, sex of prison, and ratio of inmates to officers) are signifi-
cantly related to estimates of the proportion of inmates that are involved in consensual
sexual activities.
Keywords: correctional wardens’ attitudes; prison sex; inmate sexual
assault; inmate consensual sex
Limited research exists on wardens’ attitudes pertaining to the general
operations and management of correctional institutions. Work-related atti-
tudes, regardless of occupation, are of interest to researchers because of the
significant role that work plays in the experiences and perceptions of individ-
uals and vice versa. However, few researchers have contributed to the aca-
demic literature regarding wardens’views and attitudes toward their working
environments (Cullen, Latessa, Kopache, Lombardo, & Burton, 1993; Flan-
agan, Johnson, & Bennett, 1996).
Support for this project was provided by a grant from Eastern Kentucky University’s College of
Justice andSafety.Al correspondence concerningthis article shouldbe submittedto: Dr.Christopher
Hensley, Director, Institute for Correctional Research and Training, 114 Rader Hal , Morehead State
University, Morehead, Kentucky 40351; e-mail: ch.hensley@moreheadstate.edu
THE PRISON JOURNAL, Vol. 85 No. 2, June 2005 186-197
DOI: 10.1177/0032885505276996
© 2005 Sage Publications
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Cullen et al. (1993) examined the level and determinants of prison war-
dens’ job satisfaction. Results from the study revealed that wardens demon-
strated a high level of job satisfaction. In fact, 90% of the wardens reported
that they were very or somewhat satisfied with their jobs. Furthermore, most
wardens stated that they wanted to keep their job, would take the job again
without question, felt the job fit their initial expectations, and would recom-
mend their job to a good friend. Of all the variables examined in the study, the
most pronounced relationship was between wardens’ level of satisfaction
and the work role variable (wardens’ influence, courts’ influence, emphasis
on rehabilitation, etc.). For example, when the central department of correc-
tions’ influence over the management and control of the prisons’ operations
increased, wardens’ job satisfaction decreased. “The key issue, it appears, is
the close relationship between wardens’ autonomy or authority over their
work and their level of satisfaction” (Cullen et al., 1993, p. 158).
In a similar, but more recent study, Flanagan et al. (1996) explored the
nature and distribution of job satisfaction among wardens of state prisons.
Results supported previous findings that stated that wardens indicated a high
level of job satisfaction but suggested a slight decline in satisfaction with cer-
tain aspects of the job. For example, the proportion of wardens who consid-
ered their job as similar to the job they wanted when they began decreased
from 68% in the 1989 survey by Cullen et al. (1993) to 54% in the 1995 sur-
vey by Flanagan et al. (1996).
The identified determinants of job satisfaction in the Flanagan et al.
(1996) study were also similar to those reported earlier. Similar to Cullen and
his colleagues (1993), Flanagan et al.’s study indicated that wardens with the
highest degree of control reported significantly higher levels of job satisfac-
tion. The association between loss of control and job satisfaction is not sur-
prising given the nature of the occupation and the responsibilities involved in
maintaining a correctional institution. Moreover, “trust in the integrity, com-
petence, and professionalism of staff would appear to be the central element
in securing the warden’s effective control over the institution” (Flanagan
et al., 1996, p. 395).
The central theme surrounding wardens’ views and attitudes in general
seemed to be that of control. Support for this claim was evidenced in research
relating to job satisfaction and other areas as well. Kinkade and Leone
(1992), for example, evaluated wardens’ views on the privatization of pris-
ons. Specifically, the survey examined wardens’ views on prison industries,
management contracting, and private financing alternatives. More than 90%
of the respondents rated a prison-owned industry that sold its goods or ser-
vices to the state as most acceptable. When the data were examined as a

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THE PRISON JOURNAL / June 2005
whole, “the wardens were most willing to allow industries if they were
prison-owned and sold to controlled markets and would accept financing
alternatives if such financing would result in the facility being turned over to
the state” (p. 60). In short, their reactions toward privatization demonstrated
their preference of conserving their autonomy. In the pursuit of maintaining
control of the institution, wardens were constricted by external influences
(laws, policies, etc.) that limited their power. In addition to this issue, there
are other instances in which the views of the warden were incongruent with
the policies of the institution.
For example, Henderson, Cullen, Carroll, and Feinberg (2000) conducted
a national survey to investigate the racial integration of prison cells. Despite
opposing legal cases, the racial integration of prison cells remained within
the discretionary authority of the warden. When the integration of prison
cells became an issue in the 1960s, there was some concern that integration
would result in a loss of institutional control. According to the results of this
study, on the surface, most wardens strived to achieve racial balance in the
living arrangements of prisoners. At least 60% of the respondents reported
that the most desirable policy was one in which “inmates are assigned to
housing on a race-neutral basis, monitoring of racial balance occurs, and
changes are made accordingly” (p. 306). Although wardens appeared to be
supportive of achieving racial balance in living...