U.S. flag
      An official website of the United States government, Department of Justice.
        Here's how you know
      Here's how you know**Official websites use .gov**
            
            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
      **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
            
            A **lock** (
            A locked padlock
            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Menu

      
        close

            
            
                                              About NIJ
        
                    
  
          About NIJ
      
    
          The NIJ Director
          How NIJ Is Organized
          Mission and Guiding Principles
          Research and Development Process
          Strategic Framework
          Assessments of NIJ
          Annual Reports & Reports to Congress
          Staff Directory
          Funding & Awards
        
                    
  
          Funding & Awards
      
    
          Current Funding
          Forthcoming Funding
          Expired Funding
          Awards: Listing of Funded Projects
          Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
          Fellowship & Student Programs
          Travel Scholarships
          NIJ Challenge Program
          Library & Multimedia
        
                    
  
          Library & Multimedia
      
    
          NIJ Journal
          Podcasts
          Publications Listing
          Multimedia Listing
          Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
          Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
          Software & Databases
          Datasets
          Patents
          Topics
        
                    
  
          Topics
      
    
          Article Listing
          Corrections
          Courts
          Crime Prevention
          Crimes
          Drugs and Crime
          Equipment and Technology
          Forensic Sciences
          Youth Justice
          Justice System Reform
          Law Enforcement
          Tribal Crime and Justice
          Victims of Crime
          Events
        
                    
  
          Events
      
    
          NIJ 2024 Research Conference
          Scheduled Events
          On-Demand Events
          Research Meetings & Workshops
          NIJ-Hosted Online Training

                            
                                About
          Contact Us
          Subscribe
          Topics A-Z
                  Share
FacebookXLinkedInRedditPinterestEmail Home
                            Library & Multimedia
 Officer Safety: Part 2 of 2 in a Series on Correctional Officer Wellness
NCJ Number
              251796
Journal

*Corrections Today*
Date Published

May 2018
Length
              5 pages
Publication Series
          NIJ Update
Annotation
              After a review of research on how correctional officers (COs) view the risks inherent in their profession, this article suggests ways in which CO safety could be improved.
Abstract
              Several surveys and studies over the last two decades have examined COs' perceptions of danger in the workplace, the risk of contracting an infectious disease, the risk of injury, and the risk of other types of victimization. These studies indicate that officers perceive a moderate to high risk of contracting an infectious disease while at work. A majority of COs view their entire work environment to be dangerous, with many reporting feeling physically threatened by both inmates and co-workers. These perceptions of risk varied by gender, race, and education, with women perceiving additional risk, as did non-White COs and those with more formal education. Those who had worked in corrections for longer periods perceived a higher level of risk in their work. These widespread perceptions of risk of harm in the CO occupation increases job-related stress, negative work attitudes, poor mental and physical health, increased risk for hostile interactions with inmates, and high levels of CO turnover. A review of the research on policies and programs to improve CO wellness and safety found that few policies and programs have been evaluated. In developing effective programs for CO wellness and safety, this article recommends examining what law enforcement safety programs and policies have been effective. One recommendation is to establish employee assistance programs (EAPs), which provide consultation to administrators regarding the management of troubled employees through confidential and timely services, including referral to treatment providers. Other suggestions include environmental design that reduces stress and peer-to-peer support groups.
      
  
          Additional Details
Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Research (Applied/Empirical)
                                Report (Study/Research)
                                Issue Overview
    
  
  
Date Published: May 1, 2018
    
          Downloads
        
                      PDF
                  HTML

Side navigation
  

        

  
  
              NIJ Journal
    
      
            
            
            
      Podcasts
    
      
            
            
            
      Publications Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Multimedia Listing
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Practices on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Rated Programs on CrimeSolutions
    
      
            
            
            
      Software & Databases
    
      
            
            
            
      Datasets
    
      
            
            
            
      PatentsRelated Topics
        
                Correctional officer stress
        Correctional officers
        Corrections
        Corrections occupational stress
        Employee assistance programs



  
Similar Publications
        
                      The Role of Virtual Reality in Criminal Justice Pedagogy: An Examination of Mental Illness Occurring in Corrections
                  Occupational Hazards in Corrections: The Impact of Violence and Suicide Exposures on Officers’ Emotional and Psychological Health
                  Proactive monitoring and operator discretion: A systematic social observation of CCTV control room operations
 Top

      National Institute of Justice

        
        
                        About NIJ
                    About NIJ
      
    
                  How NIJ Is Organized
      
    
                  NIJ Director
      
    
                  Research Disclaimer
      
    
                  Funding & Awards
                    Funding & Awards Home
      
    
                  Awards Listing
      
    
                  Current Funding
      
    
                  Guidance for Applicants and Awardees
      
    
                  Resources
                    Events
      
    
                  Podcasts
      
    
                  Publications
      
    
                  Topics
      
    
                  Multimedia
      
    
                  Reuse Policy
      
    
                  Contacts
                    Contact NIJ
      
    
                  Staff Directory
      
    
                  Submit a FOIA Request
      
    
                  File a Civil Rights ComplaintFacebook
          
                      X
          
                      YouTube
  

      810 7th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20531
      
              Secondary Footer link menu
            Accessibility
              Plain Language
              Privacy Policy
              Legal Policies and Disclaimer
              No FEAR Act
              Freedom of Information Act
              USA.gov
              Justice.gov