In 1990-91, in-depth interviews were conducted with 21 female guards (approximately half the number of women who have ever worked as guards in the jail), 17 women working in jobs traditionally held by women in a jail (nurses, clerks, librarians), and six correctional managers. Numerous informal discussions were also conducted with male and female correctional officers and former inmates. The study found that female correctional officers view themselves as competent on the job, but with a less aggressive manner of conducting their duties than some of their male peers. Yet, they receive unwanted paternalistic protection that devalues them in the correctional organization. Female guards also experience both personal and sexual harassment, which becomes normalized and accepted by both men and women. Female guards cope with the challenges and frustrations of their jobs by either gaining some measure of acceptance in the workplace, simply tolerating difficulties or withdrawing from the workplace. The study recommends that managers and guards undergo training to sensitize them to the problems of men working in prisons, that policy prohibit sexual and personal harassment, and that job candidates be screened for their ability and willingness to develop relationships built on mutual respect with female colleagues.