The health and wellbeing of senior operational managers in the Scottish Prison Service is a vital concern, particularly for members of the Prison Governors' Association Scotland (PGAS). These leaders operate in high-pressure environments where their wellbeing directly influences job satisfaction, staff retention, and overall organisational effectiveness.
This presentation draws on qualitative interviews with 15 PGAS members to explore the key stressors affecting their health and wellbeing. Participants described a range of challenges, including chronic understaffing, increasing administrative demands, and the emotional toll of managing complex, high-risk environments, within a culture or blame and fear of mistakes. Many reported feeling constantly “on call,” with limited opportunities for rest, leading to burnout and reduced morale. A significant theme was the growing disconnect between policy expectations and operational realities, which contributes to feelings of frustration, isolation, and diminished professional autonomy. These pressures not only affect individual wellbeing but also have broader implications for leadership sustainability and institutional resilience.
Understanding these issues is essential when designing effective interventions. Generic wellbeing initiatives are unlikely to address the specific needs of prison governors. Instead, targeted, context-sensitive strategies are required such as improved mental health support, realistic workload management, and a culture that promotes psychological safety. This research highlights the urgent need to prioritise the wellbeing of senior prison leaders. By listening to their experiences, the research can begin to shape policies and practices that support a healthier, more sustainable leadership culture within the Scottish prison system.
Moderated by Bernie Warner, Secretary of Corrections, Washington (retired), United States
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Lauren Smith
Associate Professor in Forensic Psychology, University of Lincoln, United Kingdom
Dr. Lauren Smith - Prior to joining the University of Lincoln as a Lecturer in Psychology in 2020, Lauren worked in voluntary sector services supporting people in the Criminal Justice System for 14 years. Her roles included performance and development of services, delivery of resettlement support services in prisons, development, and delivery of support services for people transitioning from the community into prison, delivery of services to families of people in prison, and work within a supported accommodation provider for families and young people. She is now a Senior Lecturer, and her research interests are centred around the rehabilitation and reintegration of people with convictions, including the complex relationships between homelessness, employment, health, addictions, offending and reoffending. Lauren utilises a variety of qualitative and quantitative methods to undertake her work.