These conditions can only be met as middle management actively supports correctional officers' authority. This means giving priority to custodial and security functions and the authority of officers to implement these functions. The existence of strong professional identities within corrections services, such as doctors, psychiatrists, and teachers, has undermined corrections officers' sense of professional self-esteem and the belief that what they do is as crucial to correctional goals as the work of other corrections professions. The first step in building the professional self-esteem of corrections officers is the establishment of an academic discipline of corrections. The American Correctional Association's Professional Education Council is developing a common curriculum for an associate degree program in corrections that will be geared to the beginning needs of correctional officers. Out of this, a 4-year degree program can emerge. This is an important first step.