Self-Legitimacy of Prison Officers in Ghana

• In Event: Self-legitimacy in Criminal Justice: A Comparative Approach

Abstract

Much of the recent interest in the self-legitimacy of criminal justice professionals comes from police researchers. With notable exceptions, this interest is yet to be realized in prisons research. Based on a large sample of prison officers in Ghana, this study explores antecedents of self-legitimacy as well as its outcomes in the prison environment. It considers the role of prison officer-based and prisoner- based factors, relational capital (sideward, upwards and downwards) and public image capital in shaping self-legitimacy. It also examines the links between self-legitimacy and officers’ rehabilitation orientation. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings will be discussed.

Author

• Thomas Akoensi, University of Kent