Article 10: Collegial Peer Support and Mental Health Wellness Program for Correctional Officers: A Case Study (ACJ17-A010)

 

Cectional officers (COs) are often exposed to violence, suicide, riots, and death, significantly impacting their mental health. The work environment within prisons and jails causes substantial stress and trauma, leading to higher rates of post-traumatic stress injury and disorder (PTSD, PTSI), depression, anxiety, and moral injury among officers when compared to the general public. Inattention to these psychological health consequences can lead to issues concerning retention, job performance, negative interaction among peers and justice-involved individuals, and overall low morale. There is a limited body of literature concerning the psychological well-being of COs and the effectiveness of the interventions available for this employee group. When staff are dealing with unresolved psychological challenges and are unable to access needed support, one’s ability to contribute to a healthy correctional environment becomes compromised. This article contributes to the research on correctional officers by providing insight into how officers view their mental health and wellness programs in the workplace. Our findings were derived from a survey distributed among COs employed by an accredited county jail in the Midwest USA. The survey results revealed the organization’s current mental health resources, practices and challenges related to institutional/managerial support, peer support, and confidentiality. These findings provide valuable insights for enhancing support. They can serve as a guide for other CO groups seeking to enhance their employees’ mental health and well-being to promote humane correctional cultures.

 

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