Hayden P. Smith - Böcker

Correctional officers face considerable stress, risk, and danger that lead to poor physical and mental health outcomes. In fact, their life expectancy is 15 years shorter than the national average. Public perception and media portrayals of correctional officers tend to reinforce stereotypes of brutish, improper, and uncontrolled behavior. Yet the reality is that correctional officers are operating a default public and mental health system for a sizeable portion of our society, a responsibility that exposes them to considerable risk. These negative effects have been compounded by an international staffing crisis that has made our jails and prisons far less safe for working officers. To address this situation, this book features an examination of a combined 11,313 correctional officers and 42 of their family members in the United States, Canada, and Europe. It explores proactive strategies that can reduce rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in correctional officers, which currently surpasses those found in returning military veterans who experienced combat. It then delves into the dynamics of correctional officer suicide, featuring the perspectives of their families. This book highlights innovative approaches that can build on existing strengths including the role of international exchange programs. It presents universal themes that impact the safety, wellbeing, and resiliency of correctional officers, along with positive outcomes related to evidence-based programs that maximize health in the correctional workplace. This book will be of interest to researchers and advanced students of criminology, mental health, public policy, social work, and sociology. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of the journal Criminal Justice Studies.

Correctional officers face considerable stress, risk, and danger that lead to poor physical and mental health outcomes. In fact, their life expectancy is 15 years shorter than the national average. Public perception and media portrayals of correctional officers tend to reinforce stereotypes of brutish, improper, and uncontrolled behavior. Yet the reality is that correctional officers are operating a default public and mental health system for a sizeable portion of our society, a responsibility that exposes them to considerable risk. These negative effects have been compounded by an international staffing crisis that has made our jails and prisons far less safe for working officers. To address this situation, this book features an examination of a combined 11,313 correctional officers and 42 of their family members in the United States, Canada, and Europe. It explores proactive strategies that can reduce rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in correctional officers, which currently surpasses those found in returning military veterans who experienced combat. It then delves into the dynamics of correctional officer suicide, featuring the perspectives of their families. This book highlights innovative approaches that can build on existing strengths including the role of international exchange programs. It presents universal themes that impact the safety, wellbeing, and resiliency of correctional officers, along with positive outcomes related to evidence-based programs that maximize health in the correctional workplace. This book will be of interest to researchers and advanced students of criminology, mental health, public policy, social work, and sociology. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of the journal Criminal Justice Studies.

Corrections in Crisis: Learning from the 2018 Lee Prison Riot examines the events surrounding the riot at Lee Correctional Institution in Bishopville, South Carolina, on April 15, 2018, the largest prison riot in 25 years. Utilizing a blend of theory, methodology, and evaluation, the book dissects this incident—a microcosm of broader systemic issues within the United States' criminal justice system—and considers historical, political, and social influences. The narrative guides readers through the complexities of the riot, touching on topics including prison culture, gang violence, mental illness, and the well-being of correctional staff. The book is structured into three parts across 12 chapters, progressing from the history and background conditions leading up to the riot, through an exploration of its underlying causes, to a consideration of policy solutions. This approach synthesizes theories of punishment, correctional theory, and the reality of prison gangs with a focus on measurable outcomes and evidence-based practices. It includes statistical visuals and case studies to provide context and facilitate understanding of the core concepts and their application. Notably, the book also highlights the lived experiences of inmates who witnessed or were involved in the riot, providing readers with a novel and rare perspective from a key population. Corrections in Crisis is appropriate for upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in corrections, as well as for supplemental reading in criminal justice programs.