Integrating Trauma Awareness in Correctional Settings for Professionals

Summary:

Canadian correctional officers exhibit higher rates of post-traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety compared to the general population. Some report feeling unsupported by their employers or undervalued by society. Trauma-informed approaches (TIAs) offer a framework for improving services. It is crucial to consider the impact of trauma experienced by these professionals to promote their well-being and enhance service quality. Our research aimed to identify TIA efforts designed to protect correctional officers and to gather their testimonies on workplace distress and employer-supported interventions. Our findings reveal that a subset of officers experiences significant distress and that various TIAs have been implemented internationally. While these approaches are generally well received, they must be applied holistically to maximize their effectiveness.