Criminal justice volunteerism : an empirical evaluation of the job satisfaction of correctional volunteers in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Abstract

The primary focus of this study is the analysis of the job facet satisfaction of volunteers in correctional service. Secondarily, the relationship of the likelihood of victimization to the fear of crime is examined. This study comprises 202 respondents, of which 190 respondents indicate through the survey instrument that they are satisfied with their volunteer job, 9 respondents are undecided, and 3 respondents indicate they are dissatisfied with their volunteer job. Although the majority of volunteers report being satisfied with their volunteer job, regression analysis reveals that reported levels of job satisfaction decrease as length of volunteer service increases. In fact, the highest levels of job satisfaction are reported by volunteers who have been in volunteer service for no longer than a year. As the length of the volunteer commitment increases beyond two years, the lowest levels of job satisfaction are identified. Through the regression analysis of twelve data set subsets, the facets sense of accomplishment and approval of supervisor emerge most frequently as the strongest predictors of volunteer job satisfaction. In the crosstabulation analysis pertaining to fear of crime and the likelihood of victimization, an overwhelming majority of volunteers concede various types of victimization are possible as a result of their work-related interaction with offenders. Despite this concession, the majority of volunteers do not fear being victimized as a result of their work-related interaction with offenders.