Date

9-25-2025

Department

Helms School of Government

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration (PhD)

Chair

Georgiana Constantin-Parke

Keywords

female correctional leadership, self-efficacy, instrumental rationality, mentorship, public administration

Disciplines

Leadership Studies | Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration

Abstract

This instrumental case study explored the experiences of female leaders within the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Division of Adult Institutions (CDCR’s DAI), a traditionally male-dominated environment. The purpose of the study was to understand how these women navigated career-related challenges and contributed to organizational effectiveness. Albert Bandura’s self-efficacy theory guided the study, James Maddux’s concept of imaginal experiences, and the framework of instrumental rationality. The central research question focused on how female leaders overcame career obstacles, supported by three subquestions addressing interview responses, observational insights, and document analysis. The study was conducted in Kern County, California, and included ten women who held or had held leadership positions in CDCR’s DAI. Data were collected through demographic questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis. Thematic analysis was conducted using Braun and Clarke’s six-step process with NVivo software. The findings revealed recurring themes of resilience, mentorship, advocacy, ethical leadership, and adaptability. Participants described using internal motivation, strategic decision-making, and support networks to navigate systemic barriers. The study contributes to the literature on women in corrections and offers practical recommendations for leadership development, mentorship programs, and inclusive policy reform. It also highlights the importance of supporting women’s advancement in correctional leadership roles. Recommendations for future research include expanding the geographic scope, incorporating comparative or longitudinal designs, and exploring the impact of leadership development initiatives across correctional systems.

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