On 'The Rock' in a hard place : role overload, role conflict and role strain among crown prosecutors in a Canadian province

Abstract

This thesis examines the occupation of Crown prosecutor in one Canadian province during a period of rapid change in both the Criminal Justice System and the society as a whole. It is an exploratory study which provides detailed, contemporary information about the experience of being a Crown attorney. The sociological concept of role is utilized as a mechanism for understanding the position of prosecutor with a particular focus on the extent and nature of experienced role overload, role conflict and role strain. Conclusions drawn from this research suggest that crown attorneys are highly strained as a result of role overload and role conflict. The levels of role overload, especially quantitative role overload, are reported to be extremely high. It is argued that such excessive degrees of overload escalate and intensify the experience of role conflict and make felt role conflict less amenable to solution. The great burden of strain under which crown attorneys work exacts costs from them as individuals and from the criminal justice system as a whole.