Workplace violence in correctional institutions in Taiwan: A study of correctional officers' perceptions

Abstract

Although workplace victimization and safety of law enforcement officers are a growing issue in the context of the criminal justice system, there has been very limited research of work-related safety in correctional settings. A similar situation also occurs in Taiwan. Recognizing that public fear of crime is composed of affective and cognitive dimensions, this study breaks the concept of perceived workplace fear into three measurable dimensions: workplace safety, fear of victimization by (ex)inmates, and fear of victimization by (ex)coworkers. Each of them is examined by considering respondents' individual and organizational characteristics. Using data collected by a self-reported survey of 348 Taiwanese correctional officers, the primary findings suggest that, of those personal characteristics, custody, prison, and jail are significantly related to perceived workplace safety. In addition, personal victimization experience, trust in supervisors, and training related to emergency situations have the greatest impacts on perceived workplace safety and victimization among those explanatory factors.