Wearable Technology as Personal Protective Equipment: Enhancing Safety and Efficiency for Correctional Officers

• In Event: Safety and Wellness in Correctional Institutions: Risk Factors and Prevention

Abstract

Correctional officers (COs) are exposed to considerable health and safety hazards due to their daily interactions with inmates, who may present mental health challenges, substance dependency, and aggressive tendencies. This creates a challenging and dangerous work environment. While scholarly attention towards the welfare of COs in American correctional facilities has increased, significant knowledge gaps remain regarding how prison environments affect their psychological and physical well-being. Moreover, there is a critical need for research on personal protective equipment (PPE) that not only ensures COs' safety but also supports their operational efficiency. This study delves into the application of wearable technology, such as smartwatches, as innovative PPE solutions aimed at enhancing the safety and work efficiency of COs. It further explores COs' attitudes towards this technology, assessing the perceived benefits and perceived risks. Through interviews with 13 correctional officers and administrators, this exploratory research seeks to offer valuable insights into the effectiveness of smartwatch features, endeavoring to fill the existing research gap on PPE utilization in correctional environments.

Authors

• Mijin Kim, Illinois State University

• Christina Soyoung Song, Illinois State University, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences