Correctional employees' reactions to job characteristics: A data based argument for job enlargement

Job enlargement, an industrial organization innovation that allows workers (within limits) greater responsibility for their jobs is explored and discussed in relation to correctional personnel. Based on responses to tests administered to 104 correctional personnel in a Midwestern state, it was found that industrial findings generalize to corrections.Job enlargement is recommended to improved the personnel and managerial aspects of the correctional institution, to bring the institution into conformity with environmental reality, and to overcome the therapy-custody dichotomy.