NCJ Number
152145
Journal
American Jails Volume: 7 Issue: 5 Dated: (November-December 1993) Pages: 71-72,74-76
Date Published
1993
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This paper describes the characteristics of burnout among correctional personnel and the organizational strategies corrections agencies should use to prevent or reduce stress for their employees.
Abstract
The Maslach Burnout Inventory identifies three major aspects of burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a lack of personal accomplishment. Other researchers have noted symptoms such as quickness to anger, crying, suspiciousness, paranoia, cynicism, withdrawal from social contacts, rigidity, and drug abuse. An organization should try to identify the workplace factors that seem to be causing stress and burnout for employees. Methods for preventing or modifying occupational stressors include developing a mission statement, goals, objectives, and values; developing consistent, written policies; fostering participation in decisionmaking at all levels; and ensuring consistent policies, instructions, and directives from top management to all levels. Further strategies should include correctional officer education and training prior to and on the job, thorough management training programs, ongoing training and education in stress awareness and management for all employees, fair and effective selection and performance evaluation procedures, and a comprehensive employee wellness program. 59 references