Correctional officers and the ongoing health implications of prison work
Abstract Correctional Service Providers (CSP), including Correctional officers (COs), are key front-line figures in prisons globally, with responsibility for a wide range of daily prison operations. Over the past decade, research on prison staff has massively grown. However, the portrait this schola...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Health & Justice |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40352-024-00308-2 |
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| _version_ | 1832586021885181952 |
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| author | William J. Schultz Rosemary Ricciardeli |
| author_facet | William J. Schultz Rosemary Ricciardeli |
| author_sort | William J. Schultz |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Correctional Service Providers (CSP), including Correctional officers (COs), are key front-line figures in prisons globally, with responsibility for a wide range of daily prison operations. Over the past decade, research on prison staff has massively grown. However, the portrait this scholarship draws is concerning. Research focusing on the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of prison staff consistently paints a picture of a deeply unhealthy group of people, with above-average levels of physical health concerns. Likewise, recent literature suggests correctional employees are facing a mental health crisis, with high prevalence of mental health disorders and self-harming behaviors, even when compared to other law enforcement personnel. Further, scholars have expressed concerns about the social and cultural wellbeing of staff, factors that directly impact daily prison operations. We conduct a broad overview of the literature on correctional worker health and wellness, identifying key themes and major areas of concern. We conclude by identifying key challenges and proposing areas for future research. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-db814593492748a488692a45d2f700cf |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2194-7899 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Health & Justice |
| spelling | doaj-art-db814593492748a488692a45d2f700cf2025-01-26T12:20:13ZengBMCHealth & Justice2194-78992024-12-0113111210.1186/s40352-024-00308-2Correctional officers and the ongoing health implications of prison workWilliam J. Schultz0Rosemary Ricciardeli1MacEwan UniversityMemorial University of NewfoundlandAbstract Correctional Service Providers (CSP), including Correctional officers (COs), are key front-line figures in prisons globally, with responsibility for a wide range of daily prison operations. Over the past decade, research on prison staff has massively grown. However, the portrait this scholarship draws is concerning. Research focusing on the physical, mental, and social wellbeing of prison staff consistently paints a picture of a deeply unhealthy group of people, with above-average levels of physical health concerns. Likewise, recent literature suggests correctional employees are facing a mental health crisis, with high prevalence of mental health disorders and self-harming behaviors, even when compared to other law enforcement personnel. Further, scholars have expressed concerns about the social and cultural wellbeing of staff, factors that directly impact daily prison operations. We conduct a broad overview of the literature on correctional worker health and wellness, identifying key themes and major areas of concern. We conclude by identifying key challenges and proposing areas for future research.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40352-024-00308-2 |
| spellingShingle | William J. Schultz Rosemary Ricciardeli Correctional officers and the ongoing health implications of prison work Health & Justice |
| title | Correctional officers and the ongoing health implications of prison work |
| title_full | Correctional officers and the ongoing health implications of prison work |
| title_fullStr | Correctional officers and the ongoing health implications of prison work |
| title_full_unstemmed | Correctional officers and the ongoing health implications of prison work |
| title_short | Correctional officers and the ongoing health implications of prison work |
| title_sort | correctional officers and the ongoing health implications of prison work |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40352-024-00308-2 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT williamjschultz correctionalofficersandtheongoinghealthimplicationsofprisonwork AT rosemaryricciardeli correctionalofficersandtheongoinghealthimplicationsofprisonwork |