Prison staff under stress: Causes, consequences and health promotion strategies

Abstract

Stress among prison staff is widespread in all forms of custodial institutions. A variety of physical, emotional, and work-place related strains can cause stress and, if not properly relieved, can lead to various consequences such as burnout and other psycho-somatic disorders. Apart from stress caused by personal conflicts with prisoners or the experience of failure, the double-bind situation of reconciling punitive and rehabilitative tasks play a major role. Furthermore, organizational and administrative culture affects the health and wellbeing of prison staff and contributes to burnout. These ‘administrative stressors’ need to be identified and managed with health promotion activities. Health promotion working groups with detailed health-related and stress-reducing strategies need to be installed in every prison, and supported and acknowledged by all staff and the governors.