Working in Prisons and Its Effects on Officer Well-Being

Prison work has become a focus of research in corrections, with studies examining deleterious effects of nearly every aspect of the occupation. Correction officers navigate a variety of organizational and operational stressors within a complex occupational culture. This article identifies potentially harmful aspects of the occupation and reviews empirical findings related to officer well-being, incorporating direct accounts from correction officers. The review highlights prominent stressors that increase risk for adverse behavioral, emotional, and physical and mental health outcomes among officers, including the unique contribution that violence and trauma exposures have on officer mental health and suicide. Developing and offering evidence-based well-being initiatives and leveraging officers’ social support networks are potentially promising mechanisms by which to limit the negative impacts of correctional work. Although a long-term effort, addressing harmful aspects of the occupational culture will benefit correction officers, the incarcerated population, and correctional organizations.