Work-related wellbeing in UK prison officers: a benchmarking approach

Abstract

PURPOSE: This paper utilises a benchmarking approach to examine the wellbeing of UK prison officers.APPROACH: The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Stress Indicator Tool is widely used in the UK to assess key psychosocial hazards in the workplace encompassing demands, control, support from managers and co-workers, relationship quality, role and change management.This study utilises this approach to examine the extent to which a sample of UK prison officers meets the HSE recommended minimum standards for the management of workrelated wellbeing. Levels of mental health and job satisfaction in the sector are also assessed using measures with extensive occupational norms. The psychosocial hazards that make the strongest contribution to mental health and job satisfaction are also considered.FINDINGS: Respondents reported lower levels of wellbeing for all of the hazard categories than recommended. Moreover, mental health and job satisfaction were considerably poorer among prison officers than other occupational groups within the emergency and security services in the UK. Considerable variation was found in the psychosocial hazards that predicted mental health and job satisfaction.IMPLICATIONS: The high levels of stressors and strains experienced by UK prison officers gives serious cause for concern. Priority areas for interventions to enhance wellbeing in the sector are considered and areas for future research discussed.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This study highlights the value of a benchmarking approach to investigating work-related stressors and strains at the sector level.

When Are You Coming Back? Presenteeism in U.K. Prison Officers

“…Insight into the types of illness that are viewed as legitimate or illegitimate causes for sickness absence by officers and managers should also be examined. There is evidence that the mental health of prison officers is poorer than people working in other safety-critical jobs, but disclosure is frequently stigmatised (Kinman et al, 2016). Research findings indicate that mental health problems are a particularly common reason for presenteeism (Cooper & Dewe, 2008).…”

“…Unsurprisingly, studies have found that prison officers have one of the highest rates of work-related stress, illness and injury of all occupational groups (Dugan, Farr, Namazi, et al, 2016;Global Prison Trends, 2016). The incidence of burnout and post-traumatic stress disorder is greater than that found in other safety-critical occupations (Denhof & Spinaris, 2013) and the risk of sleep disorders, depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation is also comparatively high (James, Todak, & Best, 2017;Kinman, Clements, & Hart, 2016;Walker, Jackson, & Egan, 2015). Research conducted with correctional staff in several countries has found that negative health behaviours, such as low physical activity, poor diet and problem drinkin,g are particularly common and they are at particular risk of cardiovascular disease, stomach ulcers and musculoskeletal disorders (Campos, Schneider, Bonafe et al, 2016;Ferraro, Faghri, Henning, et al, 2013;Harenstam, Palm, & Theorell, 1988;Morse, Dussetschleger, Warren et al, 2011).…”

Well-being in academic employees – a benchmarking approach

“…A large body of normative data from organisations within the public and private sector was used to develop the benchmarks. This approach has been used in a variety of occupational groups, such as police, prison officers and healthcare staff, to identify priority areas and target interventions (see Houdmont et al, 2012;Kerr et al, 2009;Kinman et al, 2016). The framework has also been incorporated into occupational health guidelines for several professional associations, including police and teaching, and in large public sector organizations such as the National Health Service.…”

The Feasibility and Potential of Training Correctional Officers in Flexible Styles of Communication to Reduce Burnout: A Multiple Baseline Trial in Real-Life Settings

“…Most studies on burnout among correctional officers are cross-sectional studies, based on self-report questionnaires (Schaufeli & Peeters, 2000). There is a need for interventions focusing on reducing stress in correctional officers' work environment (Finney et al, 2013;Keinan & Malach-Pines, 2007;Kinman et al, 2016). Very few such interventions have been scientifically evaluated, and no such study has taken place in a Swedish setting.…”