Power In Corrections

Power is a word that can stand alone. Power can evoke intimidation, motivation, or abuse. Schmalleger & Smykla (2015) state, that there are five types of power that Correctional officers use in an institution, and rely on, to achieve compliant behavior from inmates. They are: legitimate power, coercive power, reward power, expert power, and referent power. Let’s discuss each one, and how to incorporate them in the course of a corrections officer’ work day.
According to, The Merriam-Webster Dictionary (2017), legitimate means conforming to recognized principles, rules, and standards. Legitimate power allows a correctional officer to exercise structured control over prisoners, setting boundaries that establish a guard’s position, as well as the position of an inmate in a correctional facility (Schmalleger & Smykla ,2015). A correctional officer working a yard tower would find legitimate power beneficial. Legitimate power would keep yard confrontations to a minimum. On the one hand, legitimate power exercises maintaining control, while coercive power has consequences for the out of control inmate.
Coercive power, is the standard bearing control method (Schmalleger & Smykla,2015). Coercive power deals out punishment to non-compliant prisoners, i.e. not returning to the cell. With this in mind, prisoners that are
Referent power believes in friendly and persuasive negotiations with inmates. Correctional officer supervising inmates at a social setting, using this type power must be careful not to cross the line and start exhibiting devious behavior towards a prisoner. Of all the powers expert power produces the best results. This power can be used throughout the facility; it encompasses valuable life skills which correctional officers can use to positively influence inmates to turn their life