Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Criminal Justice

Advisor

Daniel Jones

Abstract

Corrections officers are required to ensure compliance from inmates, and sometimes they have to use force, resulting in violent encounters. Such incidents can be traumatic for those directly and indirectly involved. Previous studies examined the working conditions of jail staff, but their focus was not primarily directed toward corrections officers. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how everyday occurrences of violence associated with working in jails influence corrections officers’ physiological well-being. The theory of constructed emotions framed this study. Recruiting was conducted using a demographic and interest survey distributed through Facebook. Using purposive sampling, semi structured interviews were conducted using the Zoom platform (due to the COVID-19 pandemic) and face-to-face with 11 active-duty corrections officers working in a complex jail system in a northeastern metropolitan region. The study addressed the lived experiences of corrections officers who experienced or witnessed workplace violence by inmates and how inmates cope with trauma. Interview responses were coded and analyzed to identify common themes. The corrections officers’ most common concerns were lack of follow-up after a use-of-force encounter and workplace policies about the use of force that are ineffective and detrimental. Other findings indicated fear, helplessness, stress, anxiety, and anger. Policymakers, key stakeholders, and others may lead to positive social change by using these findings in developing effective and competent strategic planning, management, and policy implementation to support corrections officers and offer them better ways to process the trauma that they experience throughout their careers.

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