Understanding Workplace Culture and Job Satisfaction According to Corrections Staff: Findings from Three Waves of Climate Surveys

• In Event: National Findings from the Prison Research and Innovation Initiative

Abstract

Correctional facilities are uniquely stressful work environments. Corrections officers have higher stress, wellbeing issues, and suicide rates than staff in other comparable fields. Specifically, stress faced by corrections officers affects job performance, functioning of correctional facilities, personal family life, medical and mental health, and retention and staffing shortages, which in turn can lead to forced overtime and work-related accidents. Research is limited on the experiences of correctional staff, often focusing on corrections leaders to reflect on the needs of their staff but often not speaking directly with line staff. Local research partners in five states (Colorado, Delaware, Iowa, Missouri, and Vermont) used participatory research approaches to engage directly with correctional staff and measure their perspectives around working conditions. This paper presents findings on cross-site climate survey questions asked to correctional staff by local research partners in five states and across three survey waves, including questions about workplace culture, stress, and job satisfaction.

Authors

• Emily Wright, Urban Institute

• Evelyn F. McCoy, Urban Institute