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Case Study
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Within the criminal justice field, supervision plays a critical role in the operation and
functionality of various institutions like the police force or prisons. This case study analyzes
significant supervisory models and the significance of structural elements such as ratification and
leadership within these environments. Therefore, by comparing the traditional and human service
approaches to supervision, exploring the role of direct supervision in jails, and assessing the
leadership theories, this study aims to provide insights into the optimal management strategies
for criminal justice organizations.
Differences Between Traditional and Human Service Models of Supervision
The traditional model of supervision refers to the ideas of authority, substantive rules,
and strict organizational structure where the primary attention is paid to the necessity of control.
On the other hand, the human service model aims to align the employee's goals with
organizational goals committed to a partnership based on trust and flexibility (Stojkovic et al.,
2015). While the traditional model values a rigid structure to maintain discipline at the
workplace, the human service model emphasizes the employees' well-being and job satisfaction.
Moreover, the human service model also focuses more on the roles of employed individuals and
their contribution to the workplace, which the traditional model needs to look into.
Importance of Rulification in Jail Organizations
Rulification, or making rules and regulations, is very important for organizations because
rules are implemented and followed regularly in jails. In a highly structured environment like a
jail, there are clear guidelines to avoid confusion and thus minimize the chances of aggression
between the staff and prisoners. However, rulification may become less critical in situations
requiring flexibility, and the ability to make fast decisions is essential because adherence to rules
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may impede the responses. The human service model, which recognizes flexibility and employee
discretion, may be more efficient in such situations.
Direct Supervision in Jails and Employee Supervision Theories
Direct supervision in jails entails the involvement of correctional officers in housing units
and frequent engagement with inmates to maintain safety and security. This approach is
applicable to the human service model, which focuses on achieving both the employee and
organizational goals since it facilitates officers' active participation in achieving inmate
objectives. In contrast, the traditional model's focus on a rigid chain of command and centralized
control may need to be more efficient in direct supervision, which entails building interpersonal
relations and active engagement within the jail environment. The theories of employee
supervision that depend on independence and trust are more applicable to the direct supervision
models.
Fiedler’s Leadership Dimensions and Police Department Operations
Fiedler has classified leadership constraints into three dimensions, which may be vital in
running a police department, and they include leader-member relations, task structure, and
position power. Leader-member relations deal with the levels of trust that exist between the
leaders and the subordinates in the context of policing. Task clarity, also known as task structure,
is essential in guaranteeing that officers understand the tasks assigned to them and must
accomplish them (Victoria et al., 2021). Position power, or the authority vested in leaders, is
significant in discipline and decision-making, mainly where overall responsibility rests on the
team. These dimensions combine to determine the effectiveness of a police department in
achieving its mission and managing societal order.
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Participative Leadership in Jail Operations
The use of participative leadership, whereby the employees are involved in the decision-
making process, is advantageous and disadvantageous in jails. On the one hand, it positively
impacts the employees' morale and fosters their cooperation, thus creating a stronger and more
united workforce of correctional officers. However, the cruciality of jail management might
provide some difficulties for the participative leadership application, especially in sites where
security concerns and rapid decision-making are acutely significant. A more structural approach
is required in such environments to ensure order and safety in the learning environment.
However, elements of participation can still be integrated into less critical aspects of the
operation.
In conclusion, it is asserted that the type of supervision models and leadership styles
adopted in criminal justice organizations significantly determine organizational achievement.
The traditional and human service models have their strengths and limitations depending on the
specific situation. Rulification and direct supervision are useful in jail management, and Fiedler's
theories can help police departments deal with multifaceted concerns affecting operations.
Understanding these concepts is essential for developing effective strategies that align with the
unique demands of criminal justice environments.
References
Stojkovic, S., Kalinich, D. B., & Klofas, J. (2015). Criminal justice organizations :
administration and management (6th ed.). Cengage Learning.
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Victoria, A., Olalekan, A., & Abraham, A. (2021). Leadership: A review of definitions and
theories. International Journal of Advances in Engineering and Management (IJAEM), 3,
273. https://doi.org/10.35629/5252-0301273291
