Navigating dual roles: The psychological well-being and role perception of ex-soldiers who served as military correctional guards

While imprisonment's impact on correctional staff has been widely studied, little attention has been given to military prisons. Addressing this gap, the study examines role perception and mental well-being among 18 former Israeli soldiers who served as correctional guards. Using qualitative methodology and semi-structured interviews, the research reveals three key themes: the complexity of working with diverse inmate populations, navigating multiple prison authorities, and balancing burnout with a strong sense of mission and responsibility. Findings highlight the unique dual identity of military prison guards, caught between rigid military discipline and rehabilitative mandates. This tension shapes a paradoxical maneuvering space: while military discipline can heighten burnout, commitment to rehabilitation sustains meaning and purpose. By focusing on this overlooked context, the study offers practical insights for military correctional systems and introduces a dynamic theoretical model explaining how these competing institutional logics simultaneously challenge and motivate correctional officers within military settings.