Job Stress among Jail Correctional Officers

In view of what is known about job stress
among prison correctional officers, and the
differences between jails and prisons, this study
sought to augment the literature on the interaction
between the jail correctional officer and the
environment. In particular, this study focused on
the impact of stressors on correctional officers
working in the jail setting. These stressors are
divided into three broad areas and include:
individual level factors (gender, perceptions of the
job as dangerous, role problems, correctional
experience, and education), organizational level
factors (administrative strengths, job conditions,
supervisory support, peer support, staffing,
overtime, shift work, and job satisfaction), and
jail features (inmate supervision style, jail unit,
training, and overcrowding). The data were collected
using a survey instrument that was sent to 25 jails,
which employ 2188 correctional officers. The data
were analyzed using multivariate quantitative
methods. The results of the analyses are presented,
and based on the findings, strategies for reducing
job stress among jail correctional officers
are suggested.

Autorentext

Dr. Tammy Castle is an Assistant Professor of Justice Studies at James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia. She was awarded a Ph.D. in Criminology in 2005 from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Her current research focuses on female participation in hate activities.

Klappentext

In view of what is known about job stress among prison correctional officers, and the differences between jails and prisons, this study sought to augment the literature on the interaction between the jail correctional officer and the environment. In particular, this study focused on the impact of stressors on correctional officers working in the jail setting. These stressors are divided into three broad areas and include: individual level factors (gender, perceptions of the job as dangerous, role problems, correctional experience, and education), organizational level factors (administrative strengths, job conditions, supervisory support, peer support, staffing, overtime, shift work, and job satisfaction), and jail features (inmate supervision style, jail unit, training, and overcrowding). The data were collected using a survey instrument that was sent to 25 jails, which employ 2188 correctional officers. The data were analyzed using multivariate quantitative methods. The results of the analyses are presented, and based on the findings, strategies for reducing job stress among jail correctional officers are suggested.