THE RESEARCH INSTRUMENT USED IN THIS STUDY WAS A 21-ITEM CYNICISM QUESTIONNAIRE BASED ON THE ONE USED BY NIEDERHOFFER IN HIS 1967 STUDY OF NEW YORK CITY POLICEMEN AND MODIFIED TO FIT THE CORRECTIONAL SETTING. THE QUESTIONNAIRE WAS DISTRIBUTED TO THREE COUNTY HOUSES OF CORRECTIONS IN AN UNIDENTIFIED STATE IN THE NORTHEAST. THE TOTAL SAMPLE OF CORRECTIONS WORKERS NUMBERED 56. AMONG THE FACTORS WHICH CAUSE A CYNICAL ADAPTATION ON THE PART OF THE CORRECTIONAL WORKER TO THE WORK IS A CONFLICT BETWEEN THE CORRECTIONAL GOALS OF INSURING SECURITY FOR THE PUBLIC AND PROVIDING REHABILITATION FOR THE OFFENDER. THE CORRECTIONS OFFICER IS ALSO FACED WITH A DILEMMA IN IMPLEMENTING ORGANIZATIONAL POLICY, I.E., MAINTAINING ORDER AND ENFORCING RULES IN A MANNER ACCEPTABLE TO BOTH MANAGEMENT AND INMATES ALIKE. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. THE SURVEY INSTRUMENT IS NOT INCLUDED.