{"id":626,"date":"2024-06-03T14:28:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-03T14:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cidnetdev.wpengine.com\/cidnet-solutions\/?p=626"},"modified":"2026-04-28T14:30:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T14:30:08","slug":"mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/2024\/06\/03\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\/","title":{"rendered":"Mental Health in Corrections: Understanding the Dynamics for Correctional Officers\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_cb5c84-37, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_cb5c84-37[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_cb5c84-37\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_cb5c84-37 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_cb5c84-37[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_cb5c84-37\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_cb5c84-37 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_cb5c84-37[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_cb5c84-37\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading626_cb5c84-37 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_cb5c84-37\">The harmful effects of incarceration are well-documented and researched, but the detrimental impact on&nbsp;Correctional&nbsp;Officers (COs) working in these same high-stress conditions for most of their&nbsp;lives,&nbsp;often goes unnoticed.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_269336-c5, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_269336-c5[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_269336-c5\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_269336-c5 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_269336-c5[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_269336-c5\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_269336-c5 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_269336-c5[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_269336-c5\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading626_269336-c5 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_269336-c5\">&nbsp;Research conducted by&nbsp;The National Institute of Justice, led by Dr. Natasha Frost,&nbsp;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]&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>The unpredictability and high stakes of critical incidents significantly contribute to CO stress.&nbsp;Over time, this stress and anxiety can cause serious health implications.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_64c0b0-4c, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_64c0b0-4c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_64c0b0-4c\"]{font-size:var(--global-kb-font-size-lg, 2rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_64c0b0-4c mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_64c0b0-4c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_64c0b0-4c\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_64c0b0-4c img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_64c0b0-4c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_64c0b0-4c\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_64c0b0-4c, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_64c0b0-4c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_64c0b0-4c\"]{font-size:30px;}}<\/style>\n<h1 class=\"kt-adv-heading626_64c0b0-4c wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_64c0b0-4c\">The Impact of Critical Incidents<\/h1>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_24157f-05, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_24157f-05[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_24157f-05\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_24157f-05 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_24157f-05[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_24157f-05\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_24157f-05 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_24157f-05[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_24157f-05\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading626_24157f-05 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_24157f-05\">Approximately 95% of a CO\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_1fa84e-57, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_1fa84e-57[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_1fa84e-57\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_1fa84e-57 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_1fa84e-57[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_1fa84e-57\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_1fa84e-57 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_1fa84e-57[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_1fa84e-57\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading626_1fa84e-57 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_1fa84e-57\"><em>For example:&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>45% of COs have witnessed a death in the line of duty.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>78% have experienced or witnessed serious injuries.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>69% have faced life-threatening incidents.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>65% have witnessed or learned about the suicide of a colleague or superior.<br>[2]<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_a40049-65, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_a40049-65[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_a40049-65\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_a40049-65 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_a40049-65[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_a40049-65\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_a40049-65 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_a40049-65[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_a40049-65\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading626_a40049-65 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_a40049-65\">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 \u2018fight-or-flight\u2019 state leads to a perpetual state of hypervigilance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_2b8d20-a4, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_2b8d20-a4[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_2b8d20-a4\"]{font-size:var(--global-kb-font-size-lg, 2rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_2b8d20-a4 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_2b8d20-a4[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_2b8d20-a4\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_2b8d20-a4 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_2b8d20-a4[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_2b8d20-a4\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_2b8d20-a4, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_2b8d20-a4[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_2b8d20-a4\"]{font-size:30px;}}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading626_2b8d20-a4 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_2b8d20-a4\">Role of Facility Conditions in CO Wellbeing<\/h2>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_ec81c6-35, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_ec81c6-35[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_ec81c6-35\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_ec81c6-35 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_ec81c6-35[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_ec81c6-35\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_ec81c6-35 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_ec81c6-35[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_ec81c6-35\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading626_ec81c6-35 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_ec81c6-35\">The conditions within&nbsp;correctional facilities&nbsp;significantly&nbsp;impact&nbsp;the mental and physical wellbeing of&nbsp;COs.&nbsp;When&nbsp;those incarcerated&nbsp;are restless, stressed, and scared, they are more likely to act out, increasing the chance for those critical incidents, and the stress on&nbsp;COs.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>Similar to how caregivers are instructed to put on their own oxygen masks before&nbsp;assisting&nbsp;others, COs must have their needs met to be in&nbsp;a good position&nbsp;to help the incarcerated people in their care.&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>When Correctional Officers struggle, so does the system.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_81f47d-12, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_81f47d-12[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_81f47d-12\"]{font-size:var(--global-kb-font-size-lg, 2rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_81f47d-12 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_81f47d-12[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_81f47d-12\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_81f47d-12 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_81f47d-12[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_81f47d-12\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_81f47d-12, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_81f47d-12[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_81f47d-12\"]{font-size:30px;}}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading626_81f47d-12 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_81f47d-12\">Psychological and Physical Consequences<\/h2>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_f8cab3-66, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_f8cab3-66[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_f8cab3-66\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_f8cab3-66 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_f8cab3-66[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_f8cab3-66\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_f8cab3-66 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_f8cab3-66[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_f8cab3-66\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading626_f8cab3-66 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_f8cab3-66\">Correctional&nbsp;Officer\u2019s baseline of hypervigilance results in chronic stress, manifesting as high blood pressure, heart attacks, ulcers, and even reduced life expectancy.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>Frost\u2019s research found that about 25% of COs reported symptoms consistent with at least one psychological distress outcome (Anxiety, PTSD, Suicidal Ideation, Depression, Anger).&nbsp;[3]&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>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.&nbsp;[4]&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>Why aren\u2019t these officers getting the help they need to better serve&nbsp;the incarcerated population&nbsp;across the US?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_45fa97-97, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_45fa97-97[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_45fa97-97\"]{font-size:var(--global-kb-font-size-lg, 2rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_45fa97-97 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_45fa97-97[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_45fa97-97\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_45fa97-97 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_45fa97-97[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_45fa97-97\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_45fa97-97, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_45fa97-97[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_45fa97-97\"]{font-size:30px;}}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading626_45fa97-97 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_45fa97-97\">Barriers to Seeking Help<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">COs most often refrain from seeking mental health support due to stigma and fear of repercussions. Frost explains, \u201cOfficers fear repercussions at work, for instance in their fitness-for-duty evaluations. They are reluctant to&nbsp;disclose&nbsp;mental health issues and to seek help when they are struggling.\u201d [5] This reluctance is&nbsp;exacerbated&nbsp;by the culture within corrections, where admitting weakness is seen as unacceptable.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>&nbsp;<br>Unofficial mottos like&nbsp;\u201cPrison guards can never be weak.\u201d only&nbsp;exacerbate&nbsp;these issues.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_1f154f-f6, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_1f154f-f6[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_1f154f-f6\"]{font-size:var(--global-kb-font-size-lg, 2rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_1f154f-f6 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_1f154f-f6[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_1f154f-f6\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_1f154f-f6 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_1f154f-f6[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_1f154f-f6\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading626_1f154f-f6 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_1f154f-f6\">The Domino Effect: Tech that keeps detainees content, keeps Correctional Officers healthy<\/h2>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_6d64d6-66, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_6d64d6-66[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_6d64d6-66\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_6d64d6-66 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_6d64d6-66[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_6d64d6-66\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_6d64d6-66 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_6d64d6-66[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_6d64d6-66\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading626_6d64d6-66 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_6d64d6-66\">Increasingly in corrections, the entire jail population is&nbsp;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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_2c9891-bb, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_2c9891-bb[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_2c9891-bb\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_2c9891-bb mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_2c9891-bb[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_2c9891-bb\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_2c9891-bb img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_2c9891-bb[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_2c9891-bb\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading626_2c9891-bb wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_2c9891-bb\">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.&nbsp;Fawn Swisher, a Corrections Officer at Seward County Detention Center, remarks, \u201cI love&nbsp;Cidnet&nbsp;because it offers so many different things to the inmates that help keep them busy in a good way.\u201d&nbsp;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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_1c1395-0e, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_1c1395-0e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_1c1395-0e\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_1c1395-0e mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_1c1395-0e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_1c1395-0e\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_1c1395-0e img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_1c1395-0e[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_1c1395-0e\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading626_1c1395-0e wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_1c1395-0e\">Before tablets were introduced in correctional facilities, phone hierarchies also caused significant stress for the COs.<br><br>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\u2019s 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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id626_37f3c1-b6 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id626_37f3c1-b6 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id626_37f3c1-b6 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}.kb-row-layout-id626_37f3c1-b6 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id626_37f3c1-b6 > .kt-row-column-wrap{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-lg, 3rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id626_37f3c1-b6 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(1 of *:not(style)){order:2;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id626_37f3c1-b6 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(2 of *:not(style)){order:1;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id626_37f3c1-b6 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(3 of *:not(style)){order:12;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id626_37f3c1-b6 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(4 of *:not(style)){order:11;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id626_37f3c1-b6 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(5 of *:not(style)){order:22;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id626_37f3c1-b6 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(6 of *:not(style)){order:21;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id626_37f3c1-b6 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(7 of *:not(style)){order:32;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id626_37f3c1-b6 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(8 of *:not(style)){order:31;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id626_37f3c1-b6 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id626_37f3c1-b6 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(1 of *:not(style)){order:2;}.kb-row-layout-id626_37f3c1-b6 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(2 of *:not(style)){order:1;}.kb-row-layout-id626_37f3c1-b6 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(3 of *:not(style)){order:12;}.kb-row-layout-id626_37f3c1-b6 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(4 of *:not(style)){order:11;}.kb-row-layout-id626_37f3c1-b6 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(5 of *:not(style)){order:22;}.kb-row-layout-id626_37f3c1-b6 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(6 of *:not(style)){order:21;}.kb-row-layout-id626_37f3c1-b6 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(7 of *:not(style)){order:32;}.kb-row-layout-id626_37f3c1-b6 > .kt-row-column-wrap > .wp-block-kadence-column:nth-child(8 of *:not(style)){order:31;}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id626_37f3c1-b6 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-row kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top kt-inner-column-height-full\">\n<style>.kadence-column626_f96551-a3 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column626_f96551-a3 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column626_f96551-a3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column626_f96551-a3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column626_f96551-a3 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column626_f96551-a3 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column626_f96551-a3{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column626_f96551-a3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column626_f96551-a3 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column626_f96551-a3\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kb-image626_627ecd-56 .kb-image-has-overlay:after{opacity:0.3;}<\/style>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-kadence-image kb-image626_627ecd-56 size-full kb-image-is-ratio-size\"><div class=\"kb-is-ratio-image kb-image-ratio-land43\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"216\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/DSC00019-216x300-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"kb-img wp-image-644\"\/><\/div><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column626_18300f-45 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column626_18300f-45 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column626_18300f-45 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column626_18300f-45 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column626_18300f-45 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column626_18300f-45 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column626_18300f-45{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column626_18300f-45 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column626_18300f-45 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column626_18300f-45\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.&nbsp;Christopher&nbsp;Codden, a Deputy at Benzie County Sheriff Office, supports this by saying, \u201cAs far as the inmates are concerned, the calmness and tablets keep them occupied and busy in a good way.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.&nbsp;<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<br><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_92732a-ac, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_92732a-ac[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_92732a-ac\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_92732a-ac mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_92732a-ac[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_92732a-ac\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_92732a-ac img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_92732a-ac[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_92732a-ac\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading626_92732a-ac wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_92732a-ac\">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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_c57602-d0, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_c57602-d0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_c57602-d0\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_c57602-d0 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_c57602-d0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_c57602-d0\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_c57602-d0 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading626_c57602-d0[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_c57602-d0\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading626_c57602-d0 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading626_c57602-d0\">&nbsp;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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The harmful effects of incarceration are well-documented and researched, but the detrimental impact on&nbsp;Correctional&nbsp;Officers (COs) working in these same high-stress conditions for most of their&nbsp;lives,&nbsp;often goes unnoticed.&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Research conducted by&nbsp;The National Institute of Justice, led by Dr. Natasha Frost,&nbsp;has shown that COs experience stress primarily from two sources: organizational stressors like understaffed shifts and toxic&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":627,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"default","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-626","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Mental Health Challenges for Correctional Officers - CID Net<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"This article explores how stress, understaffing, critical incidents, and facility conditions affect correctional officer mental health and wellbeing.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/2024\/06\/03\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Mental Health Challenges for Correctional Officers - CID Net\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"This article explores how stress, understaffing, critical incidents, and facility conditions affect correctional officer mental health and wellbeing.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/2024\/06\/03\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Cidnet Solutions\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-06-03T14:28:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-28T14:30:08+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/0J3A1792-1-980x653-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"980\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"653\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"dawn.ruley@americaneagle.com\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"dawn.ruley@americaneagle.com\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/03\\\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/03\\\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"dawn.ruley@americaneagle.com\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/b1659323bd53c67711d99c7328ca720c\"},\"headline\":\"Mental Health in Corrections: Understanding the Dynamics for Correctional Officers\u00a0\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-06-03T14:28:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-28T14:30:08+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/03\\\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1026,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/03\\\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/3\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/0J3A1792-1-980x653-1.jpg\",\"articleSection\":[\"Blog\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/03\\\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/03\\\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/03\\\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\\\/\",\"name\":\"Mental Health Challenges for Correctional Officers - CID Net\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/03\\\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/03\\\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/3\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/0J3A1792-1-980x653-1.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-06-03T14:28:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-28T14:30:08+00:00\",\"description\":\"This article explores how stress, understaffing, critical incidents, and facility conditions affect correctional officer mental health and wellbeing.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/03\\\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/03\\\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/03\\\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/3\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/0J3A1792-1-980x653-1.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/3\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/0J3A1792-1-980x653-1.jpg\",\"width\":980,\"height\":653},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/2024\\\/06\\\/03\\\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Mental Health in Corrections: Understanding the Dynamics for Correctional Officers\u00a0\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/\",\"name\":\"Cidnet Solutions\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Cidnet Solutions\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/3\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/logo.svg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/3\\\/2026\\\/02\\\/logo.svg\",\"width\":464,\"height\":141,\"caption\":\"Cidnet Solutions\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/b1659323bd53c67711d99c7328ca720c\",\"name\":\"dawn.ruley@americaneagle.com\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/522b003d1b887a7a329e082cbb3a19609d1d0865dc691c92589dd003e7d0f036?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/522b003d1b887a7a329e082cbb3a19609d1d0865dc691c92589dd003e7d0f036?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/522b003d1b887a7a329e082cbb3a19609d1d0865dc691c92589dd003e7d0f036?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"dawn.ruley@americaneagle.com\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cidnet.net\\\/cidnet-solutions\\\/author\\\/dawn-ruleyamericaneagle-com\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Mental Health Challenges for Correctional Officers - CID Net","description":"This article explores how stress, understaffing, critical incidents, and facility conditions affect correctional officer mental health and wellbeing.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/2024\/06\/03\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Mental Health Challenges for Correctional Officers - CID Net","og_description":"This article explores how stress, understaffing, critical incidents, and facility conditions affect correctional officer mental health and wellbeing.","og_url":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/2024\/06\/03\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\/","og_site_name":"Cidnet Solutions","article_published_time":"2024-06-03T14:28:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-04-28T14:30:08+00:00","og_image":[{"width":980,"height":653,"url":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/0J3A1792-1-980x653-1.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"dawn.ruley@americaneagle.com","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"dawn.ruley@americaneagle.com","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/2024\/06\/03\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/2024\/06\/03\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\/"},"author":{"name":"dawn.ruley@americaneagle.com","@id":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/#\/schema\/person\/b1659323bd53c67711d99c7328ca720c"},"headline":"Mental Health in Corrections: Understanding the Dynamics for Correctional Officers\u00a0","datePublished":"2024-06-03T14:28:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-28T14:30:08+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/2024\/06\/03\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\/"},"wordCount":1026,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/2024\/06\/03\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/0J3A1792-1-980x653-1.jpg","articleSection":["Blog"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/2024\/06\/03\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/2024\/06\/03\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\/","url":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/2024\/06\/03\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\/","name":"Mental Health Challenges for Correctional Officers - CID Net","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/2024\/06\/03\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/2024\/06\/03\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/0J3A1792-1-980x653-1.jpg","datePublished":"2024-06-03T14:28:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-28T14:30:08+00:00","description":"This article explores how stress, understaffing, critical incidents, and facility conditions affect correctional officer mental health and wellbeing.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/2024\/06\/03\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/2024\/06\/03\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/2024\/06\/03\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/0J3A1792-1-980x653-1.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/0J3A1792-1-980x653-1.jpg","width":980,"height":653},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/2024\/06\/03\/mental-health-in-corrections-understanding-the-dynamics-for-correctional-officers\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Mental Health in Corrections: Understanding the Dynamics for Correctional Officers\u00a0"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/#website","url":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/","name":"Cidnet Solutions","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/#organization","name":"Cidnet Solutions","url":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/logo.svg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/logo.svg","width":464,"height":141,"caption":"Cidnet Solutions"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/#\/schema\/person\/b1659323bd53c67711d99c7328ca720c","name":"dawn.ruley@americaneagle.com","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/522b003d1b887a7a329e082cbb3a19609d1d0865dc691c92589dd003e7d0f036?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/522b003d1b887a7a329e082cbb3a19609d1d0865dc691c92589dd003e7d0f036?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/522b003d1b887a7a329e082cbb3a19609d1d0865dc691c92589dd003e7d0f036?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"dawn.ruley@americaneagle.com"},"url":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/author\/dawn-ruleyamericaneagle-com\/"}]}},"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":5,"label":"Blog"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/02\/0J3A1792-1-980x653-1.jpg",980,653,false],"author_info":{"display_name":"dawn.ruley@americaneagle.com","author_link":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/author\/dawn-ruleyamericaneagle-com\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":5,"name":"Blog","slug":"blog","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":5,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":7,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":5,"category_count":7,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Blog","category_nicename":"blog","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/626","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/31"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=626"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/626\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/627"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=626"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=626"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cidnet.net\/cidnet-solutions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=626"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}