The New Age Worker: Morale and Strain among Staff during a Correctional Staffing Crisis

• In Event: Health and Mental Health: Challenges and Opportunities for People Living and Working in Prisons

Abstract

Correctional institutions have often faced challenges in hiring and maintaining a workforce, which only increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. There has been considerable turnover in staff in recent years, leading to a growing number of younger workers. The goal of the current study is to consider the challenges and opportunities that the unprecedented change in the workforce in one Midwestern prison had had on workplace morale and strain. The present multi-method study uses data from semi-structured interviews and surveys to consider these questions. We find a considerable disconnect between the ‘new’ and ‘old’ guard and offer policy solutions for future staffing practices.

Authors

• Konstantina Spanoudakis, University of Missouri - St. Louis

• Beth Huebner, Arizona State University

• Kelli E. Canada, University of Missouri

• Janet Garcia-Hallett, University of New Haven

• Ashley Givens, University of Missouri