Improving the Mental Health of Correctional Workers: Perspectives From the Field

Abstract

Researchers illuminate the mental health plight of correctional workers by demonstrating a high prevalence of mental health disorders among the group. Yet, structural barriers persist in preventing correctional staff from accessing treatment and support—barriers that may result in more prolonged and pronounced symptoms. We consider correctional staff perspectives on how mental health policies at the organizational level can foster better well-being outcomes for employees. Data are drawn from open-ended survey responses from provincial and territorial correctional employees ( N = 870) in Canada. Responses collectively highlight the need for a correctional staff mental health paradigm that reflects the sources of stress among correctional workers, including access to specialized mental health services that are easily accessible, immediately available, and comprehensive in nature. Additional aspects of the work environment were identified as venues for important change, including improvements in work and schedule structures, improved manager–staff relations, and changes to the physical environment.

Documenting the mental health climate in correctional work and the realities of suicide

“…Our participants expressed how the accumulation of occupational responsibilities can be overwhelming, with many having struggled with ideation. Moreover, as a result of occupational and social pressures, staff who are suffering mental distress may feel they are unable to speak up or access help out of fear of adverse social repercussions, which aligns with broader studies on the mental health cultures and paradigms of correctional work in Canada (Johnston et al, 2021(Johnston et al, , 2022b.…”

“…The challenge, however, is that without intervention or support, mental distress may cumulate into thoughts toward the end of their life—and too often such thoughts are acted upon. Moreover, intervention and support are difficult to provide given the vast stigma ( Johnston et al, 2022b ) – in society, it remains offensive to suggest someone requires mental health support in many contexts. As such, the stigma prevails and hinders treatment and help-seeking.…”

“…Correctional workers must possess and apply significant knowledge around suicide prevention and risk factors to protect and help criminalized persons and many correctional workers are receptive to increase their knowledge of critical mental health issues ( Penn et al, 2005 ), yet paradoxically, mental health stigma remains and permeates their workplace culture ( Johnston et al, 2021 , 2022b ). The general stigma surrounding mental health disorders and suicide behaviors in correctional work may impact coping mechanisms and responses ( Velazquez and Hernandez, 2019 ; Ricciardelli et al, 2020 ), thus warrants considerably more scholarly and empirical attention.…”

Assessing Road to Mental Readiness (R2MR) training among correctional workers in Canada

“…Respondents wrote, for example, “reduce stigma” (MB48); “handling stigma and debunking myths” (SK483); “overcoming the stigma of mental health to ask for help” (NS22); and “reducing the stigma surrounding mental health” (NS73). These participants all acknowledge that mental health stigma in Canadian correctional work remains predominant (Johnston et al, 2021 , 2022 ; Ricciardelli, 2020b ) and often serves as a “huge barrier to why people do not reach out” (NS171). However, participants believe R2MR training works to reduce stigma by facilitating “open discussions” (YT18) and “open communication” (NS33) about mental health and by providing staff with resources and strategies to “handle” or “de-bunk” (SK483) stigma.…”

Study protocol for a controlled trial of a resilience program on psychological distress in correctional officers in Australia

“…To this end, qualitative studies have highlighted that the nature of insecure employment (i.e., casual work), shift work, dissatisfaction with wages and interpersonal challenges with management [ 3 , 11 ] can together add to sources of stress in corrective personnel. Here, reduced access to quality mental health care within the organizational structure, stigma, and perceptions of breach of confidentiality can together act as strong barriers to help-seeking [ 12 ]. To this end, the development of mental health interventions for this cohort must address help-seeking barriers and endeavour to work alongside the organizational and structural challenges such that meaningful change in mental health outcomes can be sought.…”