Psychosocial stress experienced by correctional officials

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study attempts to gain insight into the nature of psychosocial stress experiencedby correctional officials. In order to achieve this, a literature study was undertakenregarding the nature of psychosocial stress from an ecological perspective as well asstrategies that the occupational social worker, management and central governmentcan employ to address stress experienced by correctional officials. Secondly, anempirical study was undertaken and information on the research topic was obtainedfrom correctional officials that worked on the sections inside prisons and who workeddirectly with inmates.The study indicated that low motivation amongst colleagues, insufficient salaries andbad collegial co-operation were factors that had a major influence on psychosocialstress experienced by correctional officials. Factors such as family responsibilities asopposed to work responsibilities; drug-or alcohol abuse as well as physicalconstraints have less of an impact on psychosocial stress.It was furthermore found that the need for confidentiality, guidance in stressmanagement and emotional support enjoys a high priority with correctional officialsregarding social worker intervention. Issues such as the need that the social workershould form part of a multi-disciplinary team or that he/she should mobilise theircolleagues and supervisors for support enjoyed a lesser preference with correctionalofficials.With regard to the role of management it was found that correctional officials requirethat management should primarily provide more promotional opportunities andshould develop a more satisfactory merit system. Dissatisfaction with the Departmentof Correctional Services' Employee Assistance Programme and the present shiftsystem were less of a concern to correctional officials.It was concluded that that stressors experienced by correctional officials are variedand include feelings of anger, depression and a general dissatisfaction withmanagerial styles and certain departmental actions and procedures. It was also very evident that many correctional officials felt that they do not have an appropriateavenue to deal with their stress. If this situation prevails, it was concluded that it willexacerbate correctional officials' poor social functioning.With regard to social worker intervention it was concluded that the vast majority ofcorrectional officials are in dire need of social work intervention to assist them ineffectively dealing with stress. It was further concluded that the Department ofCorrectional Services does not have sufficient structures in place to supportcorrectional officials during stressful periods.Management has a vital role to play in supporting correctional officials when copingwith psychosocial stress. If the present situation remains unattended to bymanagement it may impede correctional officials' ability to deal with stress.Recommendations by respondents also indicated a low level of involvement bymanagement in the practical stressors which correctional officials may face. It wasalso concluded that present attempts by management to deal with psychosocialstress effectively through the induction of an Employee Assistance Programme andthe longstanding grievance procedure, have severe practical limitations.Recommendations were made to the social worker, management and centralgovernment regarding effectively addressing psychosocial stress experienced bycorrectional officials working on sections and who are primarily responsible for theguarding of inmates.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University