A path model of job burnout among correctional officers from a southern state is examined. The analysis shows that direct contact with inmates is not distressing; however, administrative practices are bothersome to officers. The findings may be interpreted as supporting the recently advanced double-bind theory of correctional officer stress (Cheek and Miller, 1983)—which ascribes officer distress to administrative practices—and/or being consistent with street-level bureaucracy theory (Lipsky, 1980), which attributes worker distress to managerial control strategies. Implications for intervention are discussed.

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The present study examines the influence of gender and environmental stress on the mental health of a sample of 198 male and female jail inmates. Environmental stress is conceptualized as the degree of congruence between inmates' demand and the jail's supply of several environmental features. A state of incongruence was hypothesized to increase the mental distress of jail inmates. In addition, it was hypothesized that female inmates would have higher levels of distress than male inmates, with environmental stress as a possible explanation for gender differences in distress. Female inmates were found to have significantly higher levels of mental distress than males. However, environmental stress was found to be equally detrimental to the mental health of both male and female inmates. Thus, although congruence between environmental demand and supply is a significant predictor of mental health, it is not an explanation for the alarmingly high levels of mental distress found among female inmates. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Perceptions and causes of job stress and burnout among a representative population (N= 108) of Alabama probation/parole officers responding to a survey instrument were subject to analysis. After examining reported levels of job stress and burnout, findings were compared to those from other studies. Multiple regression procedures were then utilized to identify significant predictors. Results indicated that a number of potentially alterable, organizational factors had a significant impact on officer perceptions; accordingly, several intervention strategies are offeredfor consideration.