The Moral Value of Authority: Reflections on the Work of Prison Officers

Good prison officer work is invisible because at the end of a successful working day it looks like nothing has happened. This is a basic misunderstanding of the complexity and challenges of order creation in prison. Order is much more than the absence of trouble. Understanding the peacekeeping role of prison officers, and the distinction between ‘good’ and ‘right’ relationships, helps us to explore the concept of legitimate authority as it is practised. It is skilled work. Decent prisons depend on high levels of staff professionalism, but this is understudied. The fundamental existential problems posed by prison work (in particular, the possession of authority and the use of coercive power) can lead either to professional excellence, and character growth, or moral breakdown. ‘Role model’ prison officers identified by prisoners have clear boundaries, moral strength, verbal skills, an awareness of their power, a ‘professional orientation’, an optimistic but realistic outlook, keep calm under pressure, and are reliable in the eyes of prisoners and colleagues. They use their discretion well and with professional confidence. More emphasis should be placed on understanding and supporting this orientation.