The impact of instrumental communication and integration on correctional staff

Abstract

Workers are the most valuable resource for correctional facilities since prisons are almost entirely dependent on staff to accomplish the multitude of tasks, duties, and responsibilities with which society has charged them. This exploratory study examines the effect of instrumental communication and integration on correctional staff organizational commitment and job satisfaction at a Midwestern correctional facility. The results from 270 correctional staff who were surveyed during Fall, 2000 are presented. Results from Pearson's r correlation coefficients and an OLS regression analysis suggest that instrumental communication and integration both have significant positive effects on organizational commitment; however only integration has a statistically significant effect on job satisfaction. Similar results were found using a subsample of non-supervisory correctional officers.