P058. How does prison work impact life satisfaction? A comparative study of prison officers in Finland and Scotland

• In Event: Poster Session & Ice Cream Social

Abstract

Prison officers are central to the functioning of a prison yet chronic understaffing persists, and research tells us officers are at higher risk of PTSD, suicide and cardiovascular problems than the general population. Yet the mechanisms officers employ to cope with their work, and how this impacts their wellbeing, is underexplored, particularly in Finland and Scotland where little research exists about prison officers in general. While these coping mechanisms help them survive in their difficult role, they are not easily switched off at the end of their shift. This study examines how hypervigilance, suspicion and desensitisation impact officers in their personal lives through their social interactions and experiences, and ultimately influence their life satisfaction.

The research employs a qualitative approach, with semi-structured interviews conducted with male prison officers in Finnish and Scottish prisons. By situating the findings within the concept of ‘dirty work’, the study explores the extent to which the stigma attached to the physical, social and moral taint of prison work makes officers feel ‘othered’ in their personal lives.

By investigating the intersection between coping mechanisms, the stigma of dirty work, and wellbeing, this research aims to extend our understanding of the personal toll of prison work. Comparing Finland and Scotland, two countries with distinct penal policies and practices, offers an insight into how these coping mechanisms operate across prison systems, how they impact officers’ personal lives and the extent to which they feel ‘othered’ by their ‘dirty work’. In essence, the study explores how these factors impact prison officer life satisfaction outside of work.

Author

• Kaigan Denee Carrie, University of Westminster