Correctional Officers’ Perceptions of a Solution-Focused Training Program

Abstract

The purpose of this exploratory study was to explore correctional officers' perceptions and experiences during a solution-focused training program and to initiate development of a modified pattern for correctional officers to use in jails. The study uses grounded theory procedures combined with a follow-up survey. The findings identified six emergent themes: obstacles to doing counseling work in prisons, offenders' amenability to change, correctional officers' self-image, advantages of a solution-focused approach (SFA), potential advantages of applying SFA to offenders, and the need for the consolidation of learning and transformation. Participants perceived the use of solution-focused techniques as appropriate, important, functional, and of only moderate difficulty in interacting with offenders. Finally, a modified pattern was developed for officers to use when working with offenders in jails. Suggestions and recommendations are made for correctional interventions and future studies.

Correctional Officers' Knowledge of Mental Illness and Its Relationship With Self-Efficacy

“…Had the study investigated the work stresses of correctional officers, such as dangerous situations, threats to personal safety, long hours of work, low salaries, little social support, scarce opportunities for career enrichment, high turnover rates, burnout, dissatisfaction with work, high rates of absenteeism, or illness (Pan et al, 2011;Parker, 2009), the study may have found a strong relationship between these variables and correctional officers' self-efficacy beliefs.…”

“…Correctional officers work in a stressful environment. Pan, Deng, Chang, and Jiang (2011) reported that correctional staff generally experience needs for training, pay increase, career enrichment opportunities, and a more positive public image. Among the many stressors of correctional work, Pan et al identified "role problems, work overload, demands for social contact (with prisoners, colleagues, and supervisors), and poor social status" (p. 865) as most notable.…”

“…The work environment of correctional officers is typically stressful. They face dangerous situations, experience threat to personal safety, work long hours, receive low salaries, receive little social support, have limited trainings (including in mental illness), and have scarce opportunities for career enrichment (Pan et al, 2011;Parker, 2009). As a result, officers often feel insecure and unsupported as well as have little confidence in their ability to perform their work effectively, which may lead to low self-efficacy and resignation.…”

A qualitative study of the selflegitimacy of prison workers in Slovenian prisons

“…Для того чтобы осуществлять свою власть надлежащим образом, представители власти должны верить в свою легитимность. Самооценка представителей власти есть сочетание черт, ценностей, мыслей и чувств и в значительной степени формируется из восприятия того, что думают о них другие, и это соответствующим образом влияет на их действия [45].…”

Qualitative Study of a Solution-Focused Training Program for Taiwanese Military Instructors

“…The solution-focused approach program (SFAP; Guterman & Leite, 2006) had been further developed by Pan et al (2011). The content of the SFAP covered three areas: the basic assumptions of SFA, advanced SFA theory, and particular SFA techniques and applications for military instructors to deal with student clients' personal concerns.…”