Operational and organisational stressors in community correctional work: Insights from probation and parole officers in Ontario, Canada

Abstract

In the current article, we investigate the occupational stressors parole and probation officers working in provincial correctional services in Ontario, Canada experience. We examine four specific stressors that emerged thematically from participants’ open-ended survey responses, and conceptualize these as operational factors (i.e., the duties of the job) or organisational factors (i.e., structural aspects of the organisation in which parole or probation officers work). Participants identified the operational stressor of exposure to potentially psychologically traumatic events and secondary trauma, as well as three predominant organisational stressors: paperwork and administrative tasks, insufficient human resources, and workplace relationships and tensions. Drawing from literatures on parole and probation, workplace stress, and organisational cultures and behaviours, we analyse how these stressors have detrimental impacts on the mental health and well-being of community correctional workers, which in turn compromises their ability to effectively supervise and support individuals on their caseload. Policy and well-being implications are discussed.

Assessing Relative Stressors and Mental Disorders among Canadian Provincial Correctional Workers

“…COs are the first responders within prisons [ 5 ] and provide multidimensional services to balance the safety, security, and rehabilitation needs of prisoners [ 4 ]. Researchers are increasingly drawing public attention to the risks and potential mental health consequences associated with working in institutional (e.g., prisons) [ 6 ] or in community correctional services (e.g., parole offices) [ 7 ].…”

Provincial correctional workers: Suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts.

“…For example, organizational (e.g., job context including challenges with management or colleagues, shift work) and operational (e.g., job content involving responding to altercations between prisoners, self-harm) stressors impact the mental health and well-being of correctional workers in institutions (Carleton, Ricciardelli, et al, 2020; Ricciardelli & Power, 2020). Community correctional workers also experience organizational stressors, often tied to administrative demands and work role overload as well as operational stressors, which vary based on the needs and demands put forth by those under their supervision but include exposure to PPTE (Norman & Ricciardelli, in press). PSP may also be at increased risk for death by suicide relative to the general population because PSP have less fear of death (Van Orden et al, 2010), more strained social supports (Van Orden et al, 2010), more sleep disruptions (Bernert et al, 2015; Vallières et al, 2014), a history of adverse childhood events (Turner et al, 2018), and for some (e.g., police), more ready access to lethal means (Stanley et al, 2016).…”

CCWORK protocol: a longitudinal study of Canadian Correctional Workers’ Well-being, Organizations, Roles and Knowledge

“…The total score can range from 0 to 27, with higher scores indicating greater MDD symptom severity. MDD symptom severity can be categorised based on score as none (0-4), mild (5-9), moderate (10)(11)(12)(13)(14), moderately severe (15)(16)(17)(18)(19) or severe (20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27).…”