Blog 13

The media version of the corrections officer according to Britton is that of a big, stern, powerful man. The media uses the image of power to combat power. The media portrays a MAN that would not hesitate to use violence towards prisoners if need be. However, women partake in these occupations despite the inaccurate position the media portrays. I used to watch a show called OZ on HBO that was essentially about prison life and all facets that go along with it. In this particular show there is a woman corrections officer. She is quite masculine physically strong looking and not very attractive. She never wears makeup and has her hair pulled back. This seems to be the normal media portrayal of women working within the correction system. I am sure that in reality female prison guards don’t fit any stereotypical norm. Reading other blogs confirm this thinking as well. The lesson I take from this is that the media’s portrayal of people is not always accurate. I look at news, movies, books, and other methods of media for information; however I do it with a cautious eye. The media’s opinions and portrayal of any and everything should always be looked at with skepticism. The inaccurate depiction of women within the correction’s workforce is a tragedy. Women do work these jobs, and can accomplish just as much success as any male counterpart can. It is definitely a harder task for women to succeed in these types of jobs given some of the physical demands that are required. However, this type of work is accomplished everyday by women across the world. Women are stereotyped and have many negative perceptions when it comes to working within the prison system. Most people see women as physically inferior to men, and too weak for the position. This is unfair and I have sympathy for women that work these types of jobs. It can’t be easy working a job in which your co-workers may not trust you, and prisoner’s look at you as inferior.