A 69-question Likert scale instrument was developed to measure various aspects of the correctional role and ethical behaviors. For each item, respondents were asked to indicate their level of agreement or disagreement with the statement. The questionnaire was administered in the spring of 1999. The instrument was distributed at the end of jail staff training sessions that covered a variety of topics. A total of 137 questionnaires were distributed, and 135 usable questionnaires were returned. The findings show that the work attitudes and perceptions of jail staff were influenced by a multitude of factors, particularly age and years of service. Generally, more experience and being older equated with greater support for the human services approach to jail work and an orientation toward ethical practices. Additionally, gender had some influence on ethical beliefs, with women tending to show slightly greater support for ethical practices than male staff. Overall, on most questions the jail staff preferred the human services role over the "hack" role and ethical over unethical behaviors. 41 references