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Reducing Corrections Officer Stress by Improving Prison Climate: The Importance of Support and Safety

NCJ Number
307605
Journal
The Prison Journal Volume: 103 Issue: 5 Dated: 2023 Pages: 633-654
Author(s)
Stacie St. Louis ; Carlos E. Monteiro; Natasha A. Frost
Date Published
2023
Length
22 pages
Annotation

This article examines the relationship between prison climate and stress levels of corrections officers, describing the authors’ data analysis methodology and results.

Abstract

Prior research has identified the importance of social climate in psychiatric and correctional facilities. In studies of corrections officer (CO) stress, organizational measures are typically the strongest correlates. This article combines these research areas, examining the relationship between prison climate and corrections officer stress. Analyzing data from a sample of 239 officers in a northeastern state, findings indicate that prison climate, particularly system maintenance, contributes to both officers’ work-related and generalized stress and anxiety. Perceptions of inmates’ personal growth are also associated with decreased generalized stress and anxiety. Officers should feel supported and safe at work to improve the prison climate and reduce officer stress. Publisher Abstract Provided