Date of Conferral
12-24-2024
Degree
Ph.D.
School
Psychology
Advisor
Scott Gfeller
Abstract
Correctional facilities in rural Wisconsin have noted a shortage of trained mental health professionals to provide care. Common barriers to providing mental health services in rural areas are the availability and accessibility of mental health professionals. Due to limited access to financial and career benefits, mental health professionals tend to avoid working in these areas. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experience of mental health professionals, administrators, and supervisors in hiring, training, and retaining staff in rural Wisconsin correctional facilities. Bandura’s social learning theory was used to guide the study. Data was collected from semistructured interviews with four mental health professionals and one administrative support person from three prisons in Central Wisconsin. Findings from thematic analysis indicated there are limited mental health professionals applying for positions at correctional facilities because quantity is prioritized over quality. Participants expressed concerns about not being provided with additional training, and several participants had taken training outside of the department of corrections to stay current on treatments, services, and assessments. All participants reported that the department of corrections does not do enough to retain quality staff and assumes that staff will be retained because of government benefits. Findings may inform how a correctional facility provides resources to train and retain their staff. Findings may also be used to address the mental health needs of inmates in rural Wisconsin correctional facilities.
Recommended Citation
Kallenbach, Jessica, "Hiring, Training, and Retaining Mental Health Professionals at Rural Wisconsin Correctional Facilities" (2024). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 16877.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/16877
