Mentoring Women In Corrections: Encouraging the Next Corrections Executive

Session Submission Type: Professional Development Panel

Abstract/Description

Mentoring has the ability to positively influence the mentee and the mentor, as well as the organization in which both are employed. Mentoring can help employees to overcome workplace challenges, including barriers to advancement, while increasing job satisfaction, enhancing career development, and producing a greater sense of value within the organization, often leading to increased productivity. While mentoring clearly has a multitude of benefits, women have traditionally had difficulty establishing formal mentorships in the workplace, which appear especially difficult in traditional male-dominated careers, such as corrections. Based on surveys and interviews with members of the Association of Women Executives in Corrections (AWEC), this study investigates the role of mentorship on women’s advancement within corrections departments. Results show that support, particularly from one’s supervisor, is critical as women consider advancement, regardless of the supervisor’s gender. These results imply that if there are few women in the administrative ranks, limiting the opportunity for female mentorship, women can find equally effective mentorship from male superiors. Departments interested in diversifying its administrative ranks should plan to establish more mentoring programs, which would benefit all employees.

Sub Unit

• Area XVIII. Professional Development/ Students Meets Scholars