A Phenomenological Study of Stress Among Ex-Correctional Officers in Georgia

Abstract

This phenomenological study examined the perceived work-related stress among ex-correctional officers in the state correctional facility in Georgia. Using the purposive sample of 12 correctional officers in Georgia, the study delineated five themes from the responses of the study subjects: (1) work stress theme; (2) working with male inmates theme; (3) emotional dissonance theme; (4) cause and effect health and stress theme; and (5) stress relief theme. The main triggers of work-related stress were found to be associated with (a) leadership changes, (b) inmate behavior and manipulation, and (c) job responsibilities, hours worked, mandatory overtime, impromptu shifts, etc. The study also examined how the stress experienced by the study subjects may have impacted them in their post- employment. While many of these findings are consistent with earlier research, the strength of this study lies in the responses of former correctional officers, who were free to express their views candidly without fear of retaliation or retribution, unlike those in service and actively employed in the field. Hence their responses should be taken seriously into account in order to increase the effectiveness of the performance of correctional officers by addressing the issues and problems identified herein. Unless their message is heeded and acted upon, correctional officers’ stress levels and turnover rate are likely to remain high and their retention is likely to be low.