Stress in correctional officers' work

Abstract

This study has mainly examined the stress variables and the different roles experienced by a sample of 23 male Correctional Officers working at Corradino Correctional Facility. This quantitative research showed that there is no relationship between the length of service of Correctional Officers under study, and the causes, effects and coping of stress. The researcher found that the main roles that Correctional Officers under study feel to have the most are an 'Administrative Officer' and a 'Security Officer' , while the minor role is that of a 'Consultant to Inmates and Staff'. When taking the causes of stress extracted from the additional questions, the researcher found that the main cause of stress is the feeling of not being 'Respected by the Media' and the 'Threat that Correctional Officers' Work poses to their Physical Health'. On the other hand, the minor cause of stress is the 'Respect by the General Public'. Research in relation to the 'Occupational Stress Inventory Revised Edition™ ' revealed that all the variables in relation to the causes of stress lie under the range of 'average' or 'normal' stress levels except that of 'Responsibility', which falr under the range of 'mild stress' level. All the effects and coping of stress fall under the 'average' or 'normal stress' levels. The main cause of stress in relation to such test is 'Responsibility', while the minor cause of stress is 'Role Ambiguity'. 'Physical Strain' and 'Vocational Strain' resulted as the main and minor effect of stress respectively. The main adequate coping resource of stress applied by the Correctional Officers is 'Recreation' and the minor resource used in order to cope with stress is 'Social Support'.