Formal and Informal Communication

1) As the warden of an organization as complex as a prison, information of this nature would need to be dealt with as efficiently as possible. When negative information regarding employees is obtained, it will undoubtedly spread through formal and informal channels. Unfortunately however, as the information spreads, the likelihood of such information remaining unchanged and accurate will decrease drastically.

Communication in a prison setting is comprised of formal, as well as informal, communications. Formal communication, such as that established by hierarchy for which personnel must strictly adhere to, will pass information and directives to subordinates from the top down (Stojkovic et al., 2008). When this is done, there will ultimately be noise involved that will distort the original message. Unfortunately, when communication passes through complex channels, such is the case with a complicated hierarchy; there is more opportunity that message will be distorted when it is ultimately received by the officers involved. When this occurs the efficiency of the communication is greatly reduced (Stojkovic et al., 2008). In order to ensure however that the intended message from the warden reaches the appropriate channels, the warden would not only communicate his message verbally, but also in writing.

Informal communication, or grapevine, moves very quickly and encompasses numerous groups and individuals (Stojkovic et al., 2008). The message from the warden would pass down the chain of command to the intended officers. When that information reaches the officers, they may spread the information to other officers, which then may be spread to inmates and throughout the facility. The information when it spreads out will certainly hav...

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...set of policies and procedures are outlined. The new technician is versed on the techniques utilized in the field of Forensics and is socialized on expected behaviors.

Subsequently, following the formal phase of training, the new employee is exposed to an informal phase of socialization. This would be equivalent to a Crime Scene Technician that has graduated from the more formal training, but is now exposed to field training. This informal phase is generally conducted by the employees peer (Stojkovic et al., 2008). The peer or manager that works with the new employee now exposes the employee to hands on elements of the profession. A key element in the informal phase that is unlike that of the formal phase, socialization is ongoing. The contacts that the employee has with his peers, managers, or clients will continue to shape his attitudes throughout his career.