This article reports findings from interviews conducted with 120 adult male prisoners incarcerated within medium to high security prisons in England. Their views on the deployment of female officers within the prisons in which they were held are portrayed. A picture of interpersonal relationships, control and attitudes towards the policy of cross sex postings is portrayed. Results indicate that women officers have been well received by the prisoners but that their job is not without problems. Although male officers seem ambivalent, male prisoners generally view their deployment favorably. However, in both cases this is partly due to stereotypical ideas about the roles of women in society and male duties towards them.
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