The literature has yet to study the ideal type of prison leadership in the eyes of frontline staff. Methodologically, most studies draw upon written questionnaires distributed to governors, not to their staff and analyse their data without using management or human needs theories. This study contrasts with the extant literature inasmuch as it is comparative (France/Canada) and draws upon Appreciative Inquiry interviews. It also draws upon three strands of literature and their variables: the general theory of management, self-determination theory and legitimacy of justice-procedural justice theories. The study finds that French and Canadian prison officers have needs in areas uncovered in this literature: competence, relatedness, autonomy, general fairness, respect/dignity and care. Our samples have mixed feelings about their local hierarchy; they are very critical regarding their national hierarchies. Prison officers describe their managers as being essentially either laissez-faire or as transactional. Limitations and institutional policy implications are explored.