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Mental Health in Corrections: Understanding the Dynamics for Correctional Officers 

by | Jun 3, 2024 | Blog Posts

The harmful effects of incarceration are well-documented and researched, but the detrimental impact on Correctional Officers (COs) working in these same high-stress conditions for most of their lives, often goes unnoticed.  

 
Research conducted by The National Institute of Justice, led by Dr. Natasha Frost, has shown that COs experience stress primarily from two sources: organizational stressors like understaffed shifts and toxic work environments and mostly, the demands of responding to critical incidents within the facility. [1] 
 
The unpredictability and high stakes of critical incidents significantly contribute to CO stress. Over time, this stress and anxiety can cause serious health implications.  

 

The Impact of Critical Incidents 

Approximately 95% of a CO’s job involves mundane tasks such as delivering meals, conducting cell counts, and observing the incarcerated population. However, the remaining 5% involves high-stress, life-threatening situations that can have lasting impacts.


For example: 

    • 45% of COs have witnessed a death in the line of duty. 
    • 78% have experienced or witnessed serious injuries. 
    • 69% have faced life-threatening incidents. 
    • 65% have witnessed or learned about the suicide of a colleague or superior.
      [2]

Former CO Michael Van Patten explains that the unpredictability of these violent and intense events is the most challenging aspect of the job. Constantly being in a ‘fight-or-flight’ state leads to a perpetual state of hypervigilance. 

Role of Facility Conditions in CO Wellbeing 

 

The conditions within correctional facilities significantly impact the mental and physical wellbeing of COs. When those incarcerated are restless, stressed, and scared, they are more likely to act out, increasing the chance for those critical incidents, and the stress on COs.  
 
Similar to how caregivers are instructed to put on their own oxygen masks before assisting others, COs must have their needs met to be in a good position to help the incarcerated people in their care. 
 
When Correctional Officers struggle, so does the system.

 

Psychological and Physical Consequences 

 

Correctional Officer’s baseline of hypervigilance results in chronic stress, manifesting as high blood pressure, heart attacks, ulcers, and even reduced life expectancy.  
 
Frost’s research found that about 25% of COs reported symptoms consistent with at least one psychological distress outcome (Anxiety, PTSD, Suicidal Ideation, Depression, Anger). [3]  
 
Additionally, a national study published in the Archives of Suicide Research found that the risk of suicide among COs is 39% higher than in other professions. [4] 
 
Why aren’t these officers getting the help they need to better serve the incarcerated population across the US? 

Barriers to Seeking Help 

 

COs most often refrain from seeking mental health support due to stigma and fear of repercussions. Frost explains, “Officers fear repercussions at work, for instance in their fitness-for-duty evaluations. They are reluctant to disclose mental health issues and to seek help when they are struggling.” [5] This reluctance is exacerbated by the culture within corrections, where admitting weakness is seen as unacceptable.  
 
Unofficial mottos like “Prison guards can never be weak.” only exacerbate these issues.  

The Domino Effect: Tech that keeps detainees content, keeps Correctional Officers healthy 

 

Increasingly in corrections, the entire jail population is given tablets to use as a personal device, without having to share them with others. One notable improvement of mental health for those detained in facilities that use Cidnet, is the introduction of these tablets. 

On them, offenders are able to call and message loved ones. Decades of research has shown that when an incarcerated person has a good support system and is able to frequently connect with family and friends, they are more likely to successfully re-enter society and the chance of re-offending is likely reduced. Fawn Swisher, a Corrections Officer at Seward County Detention Center, remarks, “I love Cidnet because it offers so many different things to the inmates that help keep them busy in a good way.” With these personal tablets, detainees have more freedom over when and how long they are able to connect with their support system, reducing their stress and anxiety. 

Before tablets were introduced in correctional facilities, phone hierarchies also caused significant stress for the COs.

With only 1-2 phones in a housing unit, often shared among double or triple the number of people using them, access to communication depended on one’s social standing within the facility. As can be imagined, this led to frequent conflicts over phone access and usage duration. COs often needing to step in to prevent escalated situations. 

Access to their own tablets alleviates this tension and allows people in corrections to maintain strong personal connections. When there are fewer conflicts between incarcerated individuals, correctional officers experience less stress, improving the overall wellbeing of everyone in the facility. Christopher Codden, a Deputy at Benzie County Sheriff Office, supports this by saying, “As far as the inmates are concerned, the calmness and tablets keep them occupied and busy in a good way.” 

Tablets not only enable detainees to connect with others but also allow them to spend their time productively, rather than boredly pacing a cell. When they have a lot of idle time, tensions rise, fights occur, and it becomes a challenging day for officers. 

However, with tablets, everyone can spend their day learning, reading, listening to music and podcasts, watching movies, doing legal research, and playing a variety of games. 

Resources made available on Cidnet tablets provide stimulation and personal growth opportunities for offenders, an invaluable tool in making a significant difference in not only the day-to-day lives of Correctional Officers, but for their health too. 

 Improving mental health for incarcerated individuals through access to supportive resources and productive activities not only benefits them, but also significantly enhances the wellbeing of Correctional Officers. By addressing the mental health needs of both detainees and staff, facilities can create a healthier environment for everyone involved.

 
Ready to experience the Cidnet Difference?