Correctional Officer Mental Health Training: Analysis of 52 U.S. Jurisdictions

Abstract

Research indicates correctional officer (CO) mental health training may be effective in facilitating the safety and security of both inmates and COs. We assessed Department of Corrections’ CO preservice (requisite for beginning an official post) mental health training requirements in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. We obtained information regarding instruction method, training duration, and courses required. Descriptive statistics showed that all jurisdictions require mental health training, ranging from 1.5 to 80 hr ( M = 13.54, SD = 14.58, Mdn = 8). When considering course titles, the most common course topic is crisis intervention ( n = 44, 84.62%). The next most frequent course topics are general psychoeducation ( n = 24, 46.15%), special populations ( n = 12, 23.08%), specific clinical interventions ( n = 7, 13.46%), institutional procedure specific to mental health ( n = 6, 11.54%), and CO mental health and self-care ( n = 4, 7.69%). Future research should examine whether CO mental health training is related to positive mental health outcomes and other important institutional metrics, as well as variations in training and its impact at the national and international levels.

Benefits of Digital Mental Health Care Interventions for Correctional Workers and Other Public Safety Personnel: A Narrative Review

“…Many PSPs report a motivation to learn skills to manage their mental health symptoms, indicating the appropriateness of skills-based and resilience-building proactive treatments (66). Mental health training offered to US-based correctional officers varies considerably and ranges from 1.5 to 80 h. These training programs center around the safety and security of inmates and other officers and mainly focus on crisis intervention (84.62%) and general psychoeducation (46.15%) (107). However, standardized training programs specific to mental health and mental illness are lacking, as is research assessing their effectiveness in CWs (107).…”

“…Mental health training offered to US-based correctional officers varies considerably and ranges from 1.5 to 80 h. These training programs center around the safety and security of inmates and other officers and mainly focus on crisis intervention (84.62%) and general psychoeducation (46.15%) (107). However, standardized training programs specific to mental health and mental illness are lacking, as is research assessing their effectiveness in CWs (107). Similar trends have been observed in Canadian samples (8,13).…”

Intellectual/developmental disabilities among people incarcerated in federal correctional facilities in Ontario, Canada: Examining prevalence, health and correctional characteristics

“…In addition, it may improve the interactions and communication between staff and people with developmental disabilities while they are justice‐involved. As suggested by other authors (e.g., Kois et al, 2020), correctional officers are responsible for the safety and well‐being of incarcerated individuals; however, the training provided to carry out this role varies in length and content. While research has focused on the impact of training for other criminal justice professionals (i.e., police), more research is needed to understand the impact on the interactions between correctional officers and individuals with developmental disabilities.…”

Personality dynamics behind bars: Improving mental health services in a correctional facility.

“…Correctional Officers (COs) receive a minimal amount of mental health training, commonly dedicated to crisis intervention (Kois et al, 2019). COs are present in the institution 24-hours a day, seven days a week, during which they are regularly interacting with patients in various ways.…”

“…In correctional settings, those interacting the most with patients are also the individuals who often have the least amount of mental health training. Correctional Officers (COs) receive a minimal amount of mental health training, training primarily dedicated to crisis intervention (Kois et al, 2019). COs are present in the institution 24 hr a day, 7 days a week, during which they are regularly interacting with patients in various ways.…”