CORRECTION OFFICER

Correction officer

Abstract

A number of investigations have documented that C.O.s know-how higher grade of tension than most other occupational assemblies. There are many stressors in the C.O.s' work environment. They reside by a macho cipher that needs them to be rugged individualists who can be counted upon to manage their obligation despite of circumstances. Both administration and C.O.s anticipate that every agent will present the purposes of their allotment individually, and request aid only when it is wholeheartedly essential, as in the case of personal assault, get away, or riot. This macho cipher blended with the unpredictability of employed with inmates, function ambiguity, and demographic alterations in the work force conceive high C.O. tension levels.

Corrections officer stress

Correctional officers must maintain constant vigilance in guarding against unwanted behavior and/or consequences of inmate behavior. Since most institutional routine is just that—routine—it is not unusual for officers to become complacent and neglectful of their duties. Inmates will learn the officer's behavior and will take advantage of those who are not vigilant. One of the most serious situations that this author was involved in (an eleven-day hostage siege resulting in the death of four persons, the wounding of several others, and the execution of one) occurred partially as a result of correctional officers not performing their duties as specified by institutional procedure. They “trusted” the inmate involved, they “knew” the inmate involved, and they failed to conduct searches as they knew they should. As a result, three revolvers (two .38 caliber revolvers and one .357 magnum revolver) and a considerable amount of ammunition came into the secure institution. Those weapons were subsequently used in the hostage standoff that resulted in the aforementioned deaths and injuries, and in significant disruption of the institutional routine for an extended period of time.

Correctional officers' work environments can be stressful places. The holding of numerous people against their will in a Spartan environment of numerous deprivations can have a negative effect on the correctional officer. Inmate and officer safety, the mandates of courts, and administrative procedures are often sources of stress as well. The involvement of the federal and state courts and the demand for increased accountability from political bodies and the public have served to increase the bureaucratization within institutions. What was once an informal relationship between the inmates and the correctional officers has increasingly been formalized? Written policies and procedures have replaced tradition. Discretion has thus been decreased and the need for formal training has increased (Andrews 1998). There is an increased need for officers to “go by the book” and to document the many and varied actions that previously would have been handled informally.

In supplement, C.O.s often deplore of functional stressors affiliated with the customary autocratic method of Corrections management: sentiments of being tricked in the job; reduced salaries; insufficient training; nonattendance of normalized principles, methods, and rules; need of connection with managers; and little participation in decision-making. The malfunction of managers to support line employees has been emphasized by Lombardo and ...