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Understanding and Working With Correctional Officers and Their Families in Therapy
(Beginning to Intermediate Level)
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
- Identify the adaptive and maladaptive use of the “Command Presence” by a Correctional Officer and how the “spill-over” of this persona affects the Correctional Officer.
- Summarize the research done on Correctional Officers and their family relationships.
- Summarize the research done on the unofficial use of force as it applies to Correctional Officers.
- Describe the concept of “Emotional Labor” as it relates to the Correctional Officer and his/her relationships.
- Identify the primary mental health issues affecting Correctional Officers.
- Identify when a Critical Incident Stress Debriefing is indicated.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section I - Introduction
- The California Correctional Facility Structure
- Map of California State Prisons
- The Prison Structure and Mentality
- Overcrowding
- Staff Shortages
- Dangers of the Job
- Super-Max or Maxi-Maxi Prisons
- Maximum Security Prisons
- Minimum and Medium Security Prisons
- The Prison Environment
Section II – Profile of a Correctional Officer
Section III – Correctional Officers’ Attitude Toward Their Job
- Gender Issues
- Race Issues
- Role Conflict
- Hard Time Video
Section IV – The Unofficial Use of Force by Correctional Officers
- Sexual Abuse of Inmates
- Stanford Prison Experiment
- Milgram Study
- Studies on the Power of Coercion
- The Desire to Conform
Section V – How Do Correctional Officers Change Throughout Their Career
- The Impact of the Work Environment
- Lack of Recognition
- Lack of Respect
- Lack of Opportunity for Advancement
- The Impact of Being Attacked
- The Impact of Prison Riots
Section VI – Primary Mental Health Issues Affecting Correctional Officers
- Stress
- Medical Issues Associated with Stress
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Job Burnout
- Alienation
- From Self
- From Family and Community
- From Other Guards
- From Inmates
- ;From Administration
- Cynicism
- Suicide
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Section VII – Impact of Career on Correctional Officer’s Family
Section VIII – How Does Media Attention Impact Job Stress and Job Satisfaction
- Hard Time Blood Sport Video
Section IX - Implications for Treatment
- Talking Their Talk
- Glossary
- Post-Incident Treatment
- Individual Therapy
- Critical Incident Group Therapy
- Couples Therapy
- Family Therapy
Section X - Dos and Don’ts in Treatment
Section XI - Turning on and off the “Command Presence”
- Understanding Mind/Body Connection
- Progressive Relaxation Exercise
- Stress Quiz
- Stress Releases & Safety Valves
Section XII - Bibliography
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INTRODUCTION
The primary objective of this course is to provide a comprehensive overview of the California prison environment as it relates to the therapist’s work with Correctional Officers and their family members. Although there has been a considerable amount written about the effects of prison life on the inmate, very little has been written about how the prison environment affects the Correctional Officers, who spend 40 plus hours per week confined within the prison walls. Prisons are unique environments with rules unto themselves, where violence and even death can occur at any moment.
There are over 33,000 Correctional Officers and Parole Agents working inside California’s prisons and youth facilities. On a daily basis, Correctional Officers cope with a dangerous and highly stressful work environment. Stress, and the inherent danger of their jobs, impact their families and other primary relationships.
Understanding the personality profile of a Correctional Officer, the work environment in our State Prisons, and the research done on the use of violence as a means of maintaining control, will help the therapist provide the best possible treatment for the Correctional Officer.
By understanding the Correctional Officer’s personality profile, the therapist can also; more effectively assist the Correctional Officer to achieve a more satisfying adjustment to his or her work, social environment, and personal relationships. This understanding will also assist the therapist to help the Correctional Officer’s significant other understand the impact of the Correctional Officer’s unique work environment as well. The therapist’s knowledge about correctional work will also allow the therapist to help the guard explore and understand his or her motivations and feelings about his or her job. This exploration, and hopefully understanding, may also improve the Correctional Officer’s work with, and treatment of, the inmates.
In this course we will be using the pronoun “he” rather than the more cumbersome use of “he/she” or “him/her” This is not because we are discounting womens’ contributions as Correctional Officers; it is only to allow the text a smoother flow. Currently, women make up approximately 25% of the prison workforce, and any issues that specifically relate to gender will be specifically addressed.
Many of the issues caused by working in such a dangerous and intense environment affect the guard’s relationship with his family, friends, co-workers, supervisors, inmates, and with himself.
By understanding the Correctional Officer’s work environment, the psychotherapist can more effectively assist the Correctional Officer in managing:
- Job related stressors
- Relationship issues
- Minimizing feelings of alienation
This course will also provide tips and therapeutic techniques for use with Correctional Officers. Hopefully, these tips will enhance the therapist’s work with the Correctional Officers in individual sessions, in groups, and in couples or family therapy.
The therapist will learn how to assist the Correctional Officer in turning off the ‘Command Presence,’ after hours, when it is no longer necessary. We will also cover the dynamics and effect on the mind/body when the ‘Command Presence’ is left on, and is brought home to the family.
And finally, this course will examine the social structure and the interpersonal characteristics of the prison system itself. By understanding this structure, the therapist can assist the guard in functioning more effectively within the system.
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