Women in Penal Correction System: Personality Characteristics and Opportunities for Professional and Career Development

Abstract

Presents the results of an empirical study of women employed in the penitentiary system. Seven techniques were used: the Big Five Personality Questionnaire (NEO Personality Inventory); Hall Emotional Intelligence Test (by Nicholas Hall); test E.Berne'; the diagnostic technique for the motivators of one's socio-psychological activity; the methodology for studying the style of one's behavioral self-regulation by V.I. Morosanova; self-rating of possibilities for one's professional development and career; expert evaluation of officer's personality by B.G. Bovin. The examined group of female officers is characterized by : a) mid-range values of the four "traits of a normal personality"; b) modest levels of "emotional intelligence"; c) structural personality disorders which complicate interpersonal communication; d) an ambition to succeed accompanied by a much less apparent will to power; e) an accentuated average style of behavioral self-regulation with the vitally important "modeling skill" as the leading component and the "self-dependence" trait as a "backward" one. Finally, recommendations were proposed to improve the work with the personnel in the penitentiary system.

Keywords

• penal correction system
• female officials
• personality characteristics of female officials
• opportunities for professional and career development