Predictors of Job Satisfaction Among County Jail Correctional Officers

Predictors of Job Satisfaction Among County Jail Co rrectional Officers by Richara Nikia Simmons MS, Nova Southeastern University, 2009 BS, Florida A & M University, 2007 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy & Administration Walden University September 2017 Abstract Job satisfaction among jail correctional officers i s important because it ensures the continuity of officers who can promote and maintain safe environment inside the jail for all staff and inmates. Most job satisfaction studi es on correctional officers, however, are focused on prison officers and not county jail offi cers. The purpose of this correlational study was to test and extend Herzberg’s MotivationHygiene theory by exploring job satisfaction and motivation among jail correctional officers in Miami-Dade Florida. Survey data were collected from 149 correctional of ficers using Specter’s (1994) Job Satisfaction Survey. Data were analyzed through co rrelational and multiple regression analyses. Findings of the correlation results indi cated positive relationships at the . 05 level between the motivators and hygiene predictors with job satisfaction. Regression results indicated a statistically significant relat ionship between the motivators and hygiene predictors with job satisfaction (p = 0.00) The implications for social change include recommendations to jail administrators to p rovide channels through which their employees can inform them of prevalent issues to ai d in increasing job satisfaction. Implementation of this recommendation may improve j ob satisfaction among jail correctional officers, thereby improving perception s that the jail correctional officers are appreciated and trusted, increase their sense of se lf-sufficiency, improve morale problems, and help jail administrators invest in th e well-being of current and future jailJob satisfaction among jail correctional officers i s important because it ensures the continuity of officers who can promote and maintain safe environment inside the jail for all staff and inmates. Most job satisfaction studi es on correctional officers, however, are focused on prison officers and not county jail offi cers. The purpose of this correlational study was to test and extend Herzberg’s MotivationHygiene theory by exploring job satisfaction and motivation among jail correctional officers in Miami-Dade Florida. Survey data were collected from 149 correctional of ficers using Specter’s (1994) Job Satisfaction Survey. Data were analyzed through co rrelational and multiple regression analyses. Findings of the correlation results indi cated positive relationships at the . 05 level between the motivators and hygiene predictors with job satisfaction. Regression results indicated a statistically significant relat ionship between the motivators and hygiene predictors with job satisfaction (p = 0.00) The implications for social change include recommendations to jail administrators to p rovide channels through which their employees can inform them of prevalent issues to ai d in increasing job satisfaction. Implementation of this recommendation may improve j ob satisfaction among jail correctional officers, thereby improving perception s that the jail correctional officers are appreciated and trusted, increase their sense of se lf-sufficiency, improve morale problems, and help jail administrators invest in th e well-being of current and future jail correctional officers that are needed to maintain t he safety and security of correctional facilities. Predictors of Job Satisfaction Among County Jail Co rrectional Officers by Richara Nikia Simmons MS, Nova Southeastern University, 2009 BS, Florida A & M University, 2007 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Public Policy & Administration Walden University September 2017 Acknowledgements First and foremost, I would like to thank God for b lessing me with the knowledge, patience, and determination to keep moving forward an to never give up. I will be forever grateful and continue to thank Him every da . I would like to thank my committee members Dr. Tanya Settles and Dr. Olivia Yu, as well as my URR, Dr. David Milen. Thank you all for your guidance, feedback, a nd patience. You all are a blessing and I’m thankful God placed you in my life. A special thank you goes to my co-workers, Sgt. Mel vin Cribbs, Sgt. Keith Burden, Sgt. Marcus Janes, Sgt. Charles Cason, Lt. Patricia Brown, and Lt. William Kinsey (honey badger). Your words of encouragement and assistance throughout this process were greatly appreciated. To my friends, Gw endolyn Royal – Smith, Gheni Platenburg, Dr. Chandra Thornton, and Marilyn Peppe rs – Citizen, thank you for being present when I needed you. We’ve stuck together sin ce the beginning and we persevered. I thank my best friends, Kenya Robinson, Katurah Jo nes, Micah Thomas, Javaris Yarns, Raynisha Perry and Marcus McCord for keeping me on track. When things were difficult, you were always present to make sure I d idn’t quit. I love you all for that and so much more. Last and certainly not least, I would li ke to thank my support system. These ladies have supported me in absolutely everything i n my life. They taught me to love myself, work hard, be a leader, speak up, never giv e up, and always strive to be my best possible self. I am truly grateful, blessed and tha nk God for them each day. This is for my mother, Brenda Smith; my grandmother, Lillian Smith and my aunt Vanessa Smith. No amount of words can express my love and appreciatio n for you.