By Olivia Johnson, DM
Recent reports indicate correctional officer suicides are at an all time high. The idea that ‘doing time’ is taking a toll seems to ring true. But what is it about working behind the walls that is taking such a toll? The answer appears to be stress, eroding resilience, and inadequate coping skills. Ineffectively managing stress has been linked to relationship issues, substance abuse, disease, and even death.
Stress for the correctional officer comes in many forms. It manifests in the constant fear of being injured or even killed, inmate overcrowding, understaffing, burnout, and issues with prison administrators. Ignoring correctional officer stress is like ignoring the inmate; both can be deadly.
Stress and stress-related illnesses are not just issues facing correctional employees. They cost employers hundreds of billions of dollars yearly in sick time, employee mistakes, tardiness, and employee relations issues (Smith, 2012). In addition, the long-term effects of stress often go unnoticed and unaddressed because the side effects are not immediate, explaining why stress has been termed the ‘silent killer.’
So how can you guard against this silent killer? Start by asking yourself: What causes me stress? How do I deal with stress? And, are my coping skills productive or counterproductive?
Start by making a list of what causes you stress. Determine if your stress is real or perceived, and determine what is important right now. Certain people, situations, and circumstances can cause us to be hypersensitive, so be honest about your determinations. There will be times when perceptions are spot on and other times when you are just not being reasonable. And that is completely fine.
Just knowing the difference can help reduce your stress. Of course, I am not saying to let your guard down around inmates. That would be foolish. I am talking about those things that simply cannot matter right now. (Notice I did not say that they do not matter at all.) I simply said they do not and cannot matter right now (e.g. the boss that you think has it out for you, moody co-workers, workplace gossip, or financial problems).
Ask yourself: Can I fix any of these things right now? Probably not.
So why invest time and energy into something you cannot fix right now? When these things are given time and energy, safety is displaced. These behaviors can inadvertently increase your stress. Spending time worrying is literally killing you. Stop worrying!
I know this is easier said than done, but what is the absolute worst thing that can happen? Your boss really is upset with you, your co-workers are still moody, the gossip continues, and that bill you have obsessed over is still not paid. Worrying about any of this is not going to reduce your stress.
Focus on what you can control while at work. Focus must remain on your safety and the safety of co-workers. Take back the power you have given away for far too long.
Let’s begin by putting things into perspective. Realize that you cannot change other people. Empowerment begins by knowing that you can only control how you respond to them. The sad reality, some of you will be stuck with jerk bosses and moody co-workers. However, it is those of you who learn how to effectively deal with these people and situations that will benefit greatly.
Lastly, how are you coping? Are your coping skills productive or counter productive? All counterproductive coping skills must be eliminated and replaced with productive coping skills. Otherwise, trying to reduce your stress will all be in vain.
Keeping your guard up against stress requires knowing that stress exists, knowing how you deal with stress, and learning to deal with it effectively. By implementing these skills, you will not only reduce your stress, but you will minimize your exposure to disharmony, disease, and premature death.
About the Author: Dr. Olivia Johnson holds a master’s in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Missouri, St. Louis and a doctorate in Organizational Leadership Management from the University of Phoenix – School of Advanced Studies. Perseverance in raising awareness to officer wellness resulted in her being named the Illinois State Representative for the National P.O.L.I.C.E. Suicide Foundation. This role led to her being invited to speak at the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit’s 2010 – Beyond Survival Toward Officer Wellness (BeSTOW) Symposium. Dr. Johnson is a veteran of the United States Air Force and a former police officer and collaborates with several journals regarding law enforcement issues. She writes for Law Enforcement Today as a police leadership expert. Her services are contracted out by Crisis Systems Management to train military personnel worldwide on Critical Incident Peer Support (CIPS). Correspondence can be sent to: johnsonolivia@sbcglobal.net
References
Smith, N. (2012). Employees reveal how stress affects their jobs. Retrieved February
25, 2013, from: http://www.businessnewsdaily.com/2267-workplace-stress-
health-epidemic-perventable-employee-assistance-programs.html