Of All the Joints, She Walks Into This One: Career Motivations of Women Corrections Executives

Abstract

While the number of female corrections executives is small, there is evidence that those moving up the ranks in this highly male-dominated field continue to grow. The present study, conducted with support from the Association of Women Executives in Corrections (AWEC), found that 18% of state corrections agencies were led by women. While women corrections executives’ motivations for entering the field were diverse, they centered primarily on pay and benefits. Notably, most women executives entered the corrections field unexpectedly and found they had an instant attraction to the work and did not regret their decision to stay.