Custodial managers are an under-researched demographic within the prison workforce that play an essential role in the day-to-day running’s of prisons, from operational oversight to staff support. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the occupational experiences of prison custodial managers by exploring the wellbeing and career progression of individuals currently in the custodial manager role. Using qualitative methods, including interviews and thematic analysis, the research investigates their perceptions of workplace culture, emotional wellbeing, and barriers to advancement. The overall findings of the study found that participants commonly described struggles in progressing in their roles due to limited opportunities and vacancies. Participants further identified weaknesses such as a lack of female representation, resources, and inconsistent/informal training. This study highlights the need for additional supportive tools, such as guided reflective practice, to help recruit, retain and support custodial managers in their job in prison management.
Beasley et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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