Addressing Correctional Officer Stress : Programs and Strategies

By Finn, Peter

Book Id: WPLBN0000659795
Format Type: PDF eBook:
File Size: 3.54 MB
Reproduction Date: 2005

Title:	Addressing Correctional Officer Stress : Programs and Strategies
Author:	Finn, Peter
Volume:
Language:	English
Subject:	Law., Law & economy, Litigation and arbitration
Collections:	Law Library Collection
Historic Publication Date:
Publisher:	Department of Justice


Citation APA MLA Chicago Finn, B. P. (n.d.). Addressing Correctional Officer Stress : Programs and Strategies. Retrieved from http://gutenberg.cc/

Description
Legal Reference Publication

Excerpt
Foreword: Stress among correctional officers is widespread, according to research studies and anecdotal evidence. The threat of inmate violence against officers, actual violence committed by inmates, inmate demands and manipulation, and problems with coworkers are conditions that officers have reported in recent years can cause stress. These factors, combined with understaffing, extensive overtime, rotating shift work, low pay, poor public image, and other sources of stress, can impair officers? health, cause them to burn out or retire prematurely, and impair their family life. This publication is designed to help correctional administrators develop an effective program to prevent and treat officer stress. Seven case studies illustrate diverse options for structuring a stress program. The following are among the seven programs? distinguishing features that administrators can consider adopting.

Table of Contents
Contents Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .iii Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .v Executive Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Why Establish?or Expand?a Stress Program for Correctional Officers? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1 How Severe Is Correctional Officer Stress? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Seven Programs Have Taken Steps to Address Officer Stress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Keys to Program Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 What Does a Stress Program Cost? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Chapter 1: Why Establish?or Expand?a Stress Program for Correctional Officers? . . . . . .5 Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Audiences, Purposes, and Content of Addressing Correctional Officer Stress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Why a Stress Program Can Benefit Correctional Administrators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Financial savings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Improved officer work performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Increased institutional safety . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Improved relations with the union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Demonstrated concern for employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Stress Programs Have Drawbacks?But They Are Relatively Minor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Chapter 2: The Extent and Sources of Correctional Officer Stress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 How Bad Is Correctional Officer Stress? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 What Causes Stress for Correctional Officers? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Organizational sources of stress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 Work-related sources of stress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14 Stress from outside the system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15 Stress Can Create Several Significant Problems for Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16 Chapter 3: Program Case Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 Key Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19 The Rhode Island Department of Corrections Stress Unit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Program overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 Collaboration with the DOC?s human resources office . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25