Even after being on the good side of the bars, correctional officers are still exposed to a lot of mental stress. The violence, trauma, and threats are a regular part of their jobs. However, the regular exposure to such circumstances often leads them further towards clinical depression. PTSD, depression, and other mental health problems are inevitable aspects of this job.
Research conducted at the University of California-Berkley found that 28% of correctional officers reported getting affected by the incidents and feeling morose. While 38% reported that they don’t gain any pleasure from performing the tasks assigned to them. 10% correctional officers have reported having suicidal thoughts frequently. The high- level stress situations often have long-term health effects like high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases.
After a survey conducted in Missouri, it was found that about 1 in 3 jail officers showed symptoms of depression, most prevalent among younger officers than the older ones. Lisa Jaegers, an assistant professor of Occupational Science at St. Louis University and study co-author, said, “When an individual is arrested, they come directly from the street into the jail, They may be experiencing a mental health episode or extreme trauma. They could be having the worst day of their life.”
Workplace stressors like understaffing and mandatory overtime, alongside trauma and violence, can play a role in affecting the mental health of the officers. The survey was conducted by Jaegar in two jails within 60 miles of St. Louis. The survey conducted by Jaeger showed that about 50% of the jail officers in Missouri are prone to or showed symptoms of depression.
When asked why this is more prevalent in younger officers, Jaeger said, “When new officers come into these environments, I find that sometimes it's a little bit of shell shock. They didn't realise the extent to which they would be impacted, so I think that starts the cycle of stress and potentially burnout.” To sort this issue, she is looking for ways to improve the workplace culture and create a positive environment for the officers.
Subarna Basu
Comments