Corrections_Today_May_June_2019

nEWS & vIEWS

Correctional Chaplain Perspectives

The Neutral Zone

By Charles Williams

D ay after day, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, correctional officers report to work in one of the most danger- ous and stressful environments in the world. These professionals work holidays, family birthdays and an- niversaries, and are never guaranteed the ability to go home after their shift due to mandatory overtime and institutional emergencies. The work-related stress that correctional professionals experience is cumula- tive, often resulting in a vast array of personal and professional sacrifice. In 2008 and 2009, correctional officers missed more days away from work than any other state govern- ment employee. 1 The missed days were not due to laziness or an unwill- ingness to report, but simply because of the natural result of working in an environment few people understand. In a study of occupational injuries among U.S. correctional officers from 1999-2008, it was reported that, “In short, correctional officers have a 39 percent higher suicide rate, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) rates 10 times higher than the general population, a divorce rate that’s 20 percent higher than the national average and heart disease affects us at a rate that is 50 percent higher than any other occupation.” 2

Compounding this picture is the fact that life expectancy of a correctional officer has been reported to be only 59 years compared to 75 years for the national average. 3 While correctional stress and oc- cupational violence takes its toll over the years, what happens at home and in the personal lives of these courageous men and women? Who can they possibly talk to who might understand the complicated life they live? What person, profession or

resource is there available to provide any support or help? Likewise, in this institutionalized setting, 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, sometimes for decades, inmates are living under extreme stress. A significant and growing number of inmates have co-occurring mental and substance use disorders (CODs) which presents numerous challenges to correctional staff. Unfortunately, due to staff and program shortages, few inmates with CODs receive

istock/eddiesimages

8 — May/June 2019 Corrections Today