Correctional officers are exposed to a high degree of stress every day . Working long shifts behind walls day in and day out can and does take a toll. Statistics show that correctional officers have higher rates of divorce, PTSD, severe depression and suicide.
Is being a correctional officer hard?
Being a correctional officer can be a trying and difficult job , but it’s a necessary one that also offers the rewards that come with maintaining order and offering protection.
What makes being a correctional officer stressful?
One of the primary causes of stress for correctional officers comes from working in overcrowded and understaffed prisons . Such conditions often require officers to work mandatory overtime and inconsistent rotating shifts. Moreover, perceived and actual threats of physical violence are a daily occurrence for officers.
What is the average life expectancy of a correctional officer?
A recent study of the consequences of job stress in correctional officers revealed that the life expectancy of a correctional officer is 59 years , compared to 75 years for the national average.
What is the hardest part of being a correctional officer?
The majority of a corrections officer’s work leads toward the mundane (or as mundane as you can get under the circumstances). ... “The hardest part to this job,” says corrections officer Sherry Lane, “is being able to separate yourself from some of the inhumanities that you see inside of the prison.
What should you not do in jail?
- Be a snitch.
- Befriend the guards.
- Sit on someone else’s bunk.
- Cut in line.
- Forget to say please.
- Forget to say Thank You.
- Steal.
- Possess a cell phone.
Is it worth being a correctional officer?
A career as a corrections officer can be stable, well-paying and rewarding. ... In addition, California has the highest annual mean wage out of all the states at $71,630, according to BLS data from May 2017. California also has the 2nd highest employment level of correctional officers in the U.S. with 36,730 jobs.
What is the divorce rate for correctional officers?
Supervisors of correctional officers – Similar to dispatchers, first-line supervisors of correctional officers experience a high level of stress, which makes them feel unhappy outside of work, including in their marriages. The divorce rate is 46.9% .
Why do Correctional Officers get paid so much?
As it relates to corrections officers, overtime is often abundant and consistent . Either due to staff shortages, training ventures requiring covering regular shifts, sick jailers, or a host of reasons, salaries can be boosted via working extra duty hours.
What is the biggest problem in corrections today?
Prison overcrowding, health care, racism, gang activity, privatization, assaults and more , are just a few of the problems that face prisons today. This is why many advocates are calling for prison reform. There are nearly 2.3 million people currently living behind bars in the United States.
What are the disadvantages of being a correctional officer?
Furthermore, jail guards have a greater risk of chronic injury, high cholesterol, hypertension and heart disease compared to other law enforcement occupations. Work conflicts, fatigue, heavy workload and inadequate resources all contribute to stress among correctional officers.
Do correctional officers carry guns?
In policing, guns are carried by most rank-and-file officers . But the correctional system places far tighter restrictions on the use of firearms. Officers might carry guns while patrolling the perimeter or transporting inmates, and prisons also store weapons in secure armories in case of riots or hostage situations.
Can you sleep all day in jail?
No. Inmates are not allowed to sleep all day . If an inmate were to attempt to sleep all day long, it would be noticed by prison staff. ... Even though inmates cannot “sleep away the time”, they are protected by law to receive an ample amount of sleep.
How do you pass time in jail?
- Sleep. ...
- Find Ways to Work Out. ...
- Watch TV. ...
- Write Letters. ...
- Play Chess. ...
- Gamble on Pretty Much Anything. ...
- Become a Jailhouse Lawyer. ...
- Master a Skilled Trade.
Do you get a blanket in jail?
Securing bedding in federal prison works the same way as laundry does. When the new arrival comes in they will be issued a bedroll, which typically consists of two blankets, two sheets, two towels, and two washcloths.
