Behind the Uniform: Wellbeing and Work Engagement in the Polish Prison Service
This presentation presents the findings of the WELLPO research project, a pioneering study on the wellbeing of Polish Prison Service officers based on the Job Demands-Resources model.
The research involved 210 officers from across Poland, using standardized tools: COPSOQ II, UWES, and BAT. Results reveal a complex picture: officers report high work engagement, primarily driven by dedication, and overall low burnout levels. However, they operate under significant job demands, with cognitive loads (multitasking, complex decisions) and emotional demands being the most salient. Positively, officers value their work's social climate, role clarity, and job security.
Key recommendations include redesigning work organization to mitigate emotional and cognitive demands, enhancing reward systems, and implementing preventive interventions like concentration training. This study provides a crucial evidence-based foundation for improving the wellbeing of correctional staff.
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Dr Michal Sopinski PhD
Rector, Professor, University of Justice, Poland
Michał Sopiński is an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Justice and a member of the Copernican Academy. Since 2023, he has served as the Rector-Commandant of the University of Justice. He is a specialist in legal theory, human rights, prison systems, penology and electronic monitoring. He holds the position of Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the scientific journal ""Law - Education - Security"" (formerly the Polish Penitentiary Review).
As the Rector of the University of Justice, he is active in The European Prison Training Academies (EPTA) within Europris. Furthermore, he collaborates with the CEP - Confederation of European Probation. He has also served as an expert and co-leader of the research team for the international project ""Pilot Prison Complexes"" under the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014-2021. The beneficiary of this project was the Central Board of the Prison Service in partnership with the University of Justice and the Norwegian Correctional Service.
Sopiński is a recipient of the Scholarship of the Polish Minister of Science and Higher Education for Outstanding Young Scientists (2023). He holds a PhD and a JD from the University of Warsaw, a Master’s degree (Master 2) from the Université de Poitiers, and a BA in French Philology. He is currently a Visiting Research Collaborator at Princeton University.
