NCJ Number
188094
Date Published
March 2001
Length
82 pages
Annotation
A survey of approximately 3,800 correctional officers employed by the Connecticut Department of Corrections used a self-report format to determine work and family stressors as part of a program called Families, Officers, and Correction’s Understanding Stress (FOCUS).
Abstract
The survey aimed to determine a baseline measure from which problem areas could be determined and subsequent changes measured. The survey collected information on burnout, the management environment, organizational life, job satisfaction, job enrichment, general conditions in the correctional officer’s life, health and physical wellbeing, potential outcomes of prison work in terms of depression and stress, and self-evaluation of efficacy. Results revealed that the survey received a response rate of 53.17 percent. The correctional officers’ average age was 36.7; their average household size was 3.09. Scores on the Maslach Burnout Inventory indicated a moderate degree of burnout across the 20 correctional facilities. The correctional officers were generally uncertain with respect to some of the measures of management environment, although they felt that their facilities were committed to the organization’s goals. They generally regarded their workload as manageable, although they seemed uncertain about the amount of control they had and how competent and cooperative their coworkers were. More than 84 percent reported being somewhat satisfied to very satisfied with their job. Ninety-three percent reported being somewhat satisfied to very satisfied with their lives and that their family life did not interfere with their ability to do their jobs. More than 40 percent reported either trouble falling asleep or staying asleep more than once a month. Forty-four percent reported frequent headaches. Participants reported varied work and family stressors and used varied means to cope with stressful situations. Most were confident about their ability to perform in an emergency and fulfill their job requirements. Figures, tables, discussion of focus groups, and 97 references
Date Published: March 1, 2001