NCJ Number
210907
Journal
Punishment & Society Volume: 7 Issue: 3 Dated: July 2005 Pages: 259-275
Date Published
July 2005
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study examined the degree to which jail staff perceives medical issues as problematic in their work settings and the role that such concerns play as a cause of both job stress and satisfaction.
Abstract
There is no existing published research which has examined the impact of medical service issues on the job satisfaction of correctional workers. It was hypothesized that medical services issues could have a significant impact on correctional staff job stress and job satisfaction. Working with a population with higher rates of medical needs and illnesses in an environment with pressure to reduce medical costs might lead to a reduction in job satisfaction among correctional employees. In additional correctional workers have little, if any control over medical services in correctional facility which can lead to higher job stress and decreased job satisfaction. This study utilized survey data collected from the Orange County Department of Corrections jail in Florida for the purpose of exploring concerns and issues among department employees. Among the medical services measured, infectious disease concerns and correctional responses to inmate medical needs caused stress for the surveyed staff. The concern/fear over infectious disease may lead to increased job stress. As with job stress, infectious disease concerns had a significant impact on job satisfaction. Many infectious diseases can cause pain, loss of quality of life and, in some cases death. This concern lowers satisfaction with the job. The findings suggest that medical issues are a concern among jail personnel, however, only a few of these issues explain job stress and satisfaction. Appendix and references