Study sites containing middle-sized, urban-area facilities of at least 1 year of operation were selected to ensure that generalizations made about podular direct supervision jails were applicable across a wide range of geographic settings. At least two researchers visited each jail in 1989 and 1990 to interview the child administrator and other personnel, tour the facility, speak with inmates and staff, and develop a general impression of the ambiance of each jail. The research analyzed outcome measures such as job enrichment, job satisfaction, and workplace stress. Results provided support for the belief increasingly shared among corrections managers that correctional institutions are not well served by continuing to adhere to control- oriented personnel management practices. Instead, findings indicated that investment in personnel is beneficial to the jail organization. Table, footnotes, and 44 references