Can’t Shake the Prison Guard Blues: Examining the Effects of Work Stress, Job Satisfaction, Boundary Violations, and the Mistreatment of Inmates on the Depressive Symptomatology of Correctional Officers

• Published date: 01 December 2023
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1177/07340168221123229
• Author: Robert M. Worley,Eric G. Lambert,Vidisha Barua Worley
• Date: 01 December 2023
• Subject Matter: Articles

Can’t Shake the Prison Guard

Blues: Examining the Effects

of Work Stress, Job Satisfaction,

Boundary Violations, and the

Mistreatment of Inmates on the

Depressive Symptomatology

of Correctional Off‌icers

Robert M. Worley

1

, Eric G. Lambert

2

,

and Vidisha Barua Worley

1

Abstract

Many correctional off‌icers who work in close proximity with inmates are at a heightened risk of

experiencing feelings of psychological distress. We analyzed 501 surveys collected fromcorrectional

off‌icers within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to identify characteristics of off‌icers who

are likely to exhibit signs of depression. Our f‌indings reveal that female off‌icers, as well as off‌icers

who work in higher custody levels, are more likely than other off‌icers to report higher levels of

depressive symptomatology. We also found that off‌icers who experienced high levels of self-

reported job-related stress were more likely to suffer from depression. Off‌icers with attitudes

favorable to the mistreatment of inmates also reported higher levels of depression. Off‌icers who

perceived their coworkers were engaging in boundary violations were no more or less likely to

exhibit signs of depression. Given these f‌indings, we conclude that organizational and super visory

support, coupled with positive incentives and employee assistance programs, may help mitigate the

risks of depression for correctional off‌icers, thereby making these salient staff more eff‌icient and

effective in the prison workplace.

Keywords

life stress, depression, correctional off‌icer, correctional off‌icer-Inmate boundary violations,

prison off‌icer

1

Lamar University, Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice, Beaumont, TX, USA

2

Indiana University Northwest, School of Public & Environmental Affairs, Dunes Medical, Gary, Indiana, USA

Corresponding Author:

Robert M. Worley, Lamar University, Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Criminal Justice, Beaumont,

TX 77710, USA.

Email: rworley@lamar.edu

Article

Criminal Justice Review

2023, Vol. 48(4) 474-494

© 2022 Georgia State University

Article reuse guidelines:

sagepub.com/journals-permissions

DOI: 10.1177/07340168221123229

journals.sagepub.com/home/cjr

Working in institutional corrections involves interacting with individuals being held against their will

for violations of criminal law. This form of employment is unique and differs signif‌icantly from most

other occupations (Goldberg et al., 1996). It also carries risks. Armstrong and Griff‌in (2004) note that

“few other organizations are charged with the central task of supervising and securing an unwilling

and potentially violent population”(p. 577). Working in corrections presents challenges to off‌icers,

and these challenges can increase the level of psychological strain and stress, ultimately inf‌luencing

off‌icers”mental health (Ferdik & Smith, 2017). While there are a variety of different position in a

correctional facility, such as, teachers, maintenance workers, and administrative personnel, correc-

tional off‌icers account for the largest group of staff working behind prison walls. These individuals

are assigned duties and tasks to ensure a safe, secure, and humane institution. Correctional off‌icers

can be forced to work mandatory overtime, which, in turn, increases the incidence of accidents and

other mistakes, such as sloppy paperwork (Ross, 2016). The nature of correctional employment can

also require off‌icers to work rotating shifts, which can take a toll on their mental and physical health

(Wetzel, 2017). These work conditions may also make it diff‌icult for off‌icers to spend time with their

loved ones or be available for routine visits to the doctor or dentist (Ross, 2016). Over time, they are

also more likely to develop heart disease, high blood pressure, impotence, and stomach ulcers as the

result of accumulated work stress. Off‌icers are also at a heightened risk of contracting contagious

diseases from inmates (Leininger, 2019). In spite of the above occupational hazards, correctional off‌i-

cers tend to receive very low pay. In Texas, for example, a newly hired correctional off‌icer only

receives an annual salary of $41,674 and maxes out in pay within six years at $51,338 (Texas

Department on Criminal Justice, 2022). Correctional off‌icers are expected to support the rehabilita-

tion of inmates, while also maintaining control (Worley & Worley, 2011).

The mental health of correctional staff matters. The workplace itself may contribute, in either a

positive or a negative manner, to the mental wellbeing of off‌icers. Psychological distress and depres-

sive symptoms can be detrimental for correctional staff (Badru et al., 2018; Goldberg et al., 1996; Liu

et al., 2013; Obidoa et al., 2011). When off‌icers suffer from extreme episodes of depression, the

day-to-day operations of the correctional facility can be impacted. Mental illness, such as depressio n,

may result in burnout or higher use of sick days –either outcome can result in fellow off‌icers being

required to work mandatory overtime (Lambert, Edwards, et al., 2005; Worley & Worley, 2013).

Increasing the psychological wellbeing of correctional off‌icers will result in a more professional

workforce, which will assist in inmate rehabilitation, thereby making society a safer place. While

research has examined how workplace variables contribute to the job stress of corrections off‌icers,

few studies have explored how workplace variables are linked to depressive symptomatology (i.e.,

depression) among correctional off‌icers. This is an important area of study, as correctional off‌icers

have a suicide rate 39% higher than the general public’s (Kochanek et al., 2015; Stack & Tsoudis,

1997).

In this exploratory study, we use the job demands-resources model to examine the link between

workplace variables and depressive symptomology among Texas correctional off‌icers. The job

demands-resources model places workplace variables into two general categories of job

demands and job resources. Job demand variables are workplace factors that make the job more

challenging and impede off‌icers”work success (Schaufeli & Taris, 2014). Conversely, job

resource variables are workplace factors that help off‌icers be more successful in their jobs and/

or allow the job to be more pleasant; they can also act as a buffer from the more trying aspects

of the job (Demerouti et al., 2001). The current study examined the job demands of work stress,

boundary violations, and attitudes favorable to the mistreatment of inmates. We also examined

the job resource of job satisfaction. We hypothesized that work demands will raise the level of

depressive symptomatology, while job resources will lower it. This study’sf‌indings will help

both correctional administrators and scholars understand how different workplace variables are

associated with depression in correctional off‌icers.

Worley et al. 475