Understanding Needs, Breaking Down Barriers: Examining Mental Health Challenges and Well-Being of Correctional Staff in Ontario, Canada

Criminal Justice and Behavior

McKendy

2022

Self Cite

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.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Johnston

Criminal Justice and Behavior

McKendy

2022

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“…Even when anonymous, respondents may underreport clinical symptoms for reasons such as stigma and concerns about confidentiality (Henderson et al, 2016; Karaffa & Koch, 2016; Ricciardelli, Carleton, Groll, & Cramm, 2018; Ricciardelli, Carleton, Mooney, & Cramm, 2018; Ricciardelli et al, 2020). Self-report screening tools, despite their robust design and evidence base, are approximations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pervasive Uncertainty under Threat: Mental Health Disorders and Experiences of Uncertainty for Correctional Workers

Criminal Justice and Behavior

Mitchell

Taillieu

et al. 2021

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Exposure to potentially psychologically traumatic events for correctional workers is high. However, the mechanisms driving the high prevalence are relatively unexplained. Using data from a cross-sectional, online survey of correctional service workers ( n = 845) in Ontario, Canada, collected in 2017–2018, we assess the prevalence of mental disorders with a specific focus on uncertainty in the workplace and between correctional roles. We find that correctional officers, institutional governance, and probation/parole officers appear most at risk of mental disorders (prevalence of any mental disorder was 56.9%, 60.3%, and 59.2%, respectively). We argue slightly lower prevalence among institutional wellness, training, and administrative staff may result in part from their more predictable work environment, where they have more control. The results reaffirm a need for evidence-based proactive mental health activities, knowledge translation, and treatment and a need to explore how authority without control (i.e., unpredictability at work) can inform employee mental health.

“…Data for the current study was collected as part of a broader project that investigated symptoms of mental disorders and operational stress injuries among provincial correctional employees in Ontario, Canada (see Carleton et al, 2020 ; Ricciardelli et al, 2020a ). The project involved collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, both of whom emailed recruitment materials to Ontario correctional services employees via internal listservs.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Norman

2021

Probation Journal

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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.