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Examining Stress & Mental Health of Correctional Workers: Effects of Correctional Work

Fri, Nov 15, 3:30 to 4:50pm, Juniper - B2 Level

Abstract

Correctional officers occupy an instrumental role in the effective functioning of the correctional institutions in the criminal justice system. This professional group that works in total institutions are rarely studied especially regarding workplace culture and processes on their stress level and mental health capacity. The mental health and stress level of these correctional personnel should be explored in the criminal justice work process as physical and mental strain are conditions that are health issues that can have negative impact on the organizational operations and well-being of both staff and the incarcerated population in their custody. This study considers correctional staff perspectives on how the workplace culture and processes at the organizational level impact both their stress level and mental health capacity. The study utilized data drawn from open-ended survey responses from correctional employees in several agencies across the United States to assess these workers’ perspectives on these issues. Several policy implications are also explored in the study.

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