Translating research to practice in corrections staff mental health through dissemination of evidence: from pilots to practical programs

Saint Louis University, Saint Louis MO

Investigators

Abstract

Title: Translating research to practice in corrections staff mental health through dissemination of evidence: from pilots to practical programs PROJECT SUMMARY Our collaborative series of research-to-practice (r2p) conference meetings will advance evidence-based interventions to reduce stress and trauma that contribute to chronic health issues among this high-risk workforce. We will utilize r2p methods to advance correctional worker mental health and well-being, through awareness and directed utilization. We will oversee the dissemination of evidence and its conversion to practice in three conference meetings. We intend to listen to worker voices, gain feedback from attending correctional workers and their lived experiences, promote the evaluation of interventions, and inform the usefulness and utilization of evidence-based resources. This innovative annual series builds upon each event and existing best practices, informing the next one to advance interventions. Our efforts to advance r2p in corrections worker health is supported by 15 years of research and locally based practice, and experience building a participatory network of key stakeholders and change agents. Vehicles include hosting three National Corrections Collaborative (NCC) Symposia (CPH-NEW, 2022; El Ghaziri, et al., 2020); and a National Institute of Corrections (NIC) cooperative agreement project to identify resource provision and resource gaps to address organizational stress and trauma among corrections workers. We will optimize conference attendance by echoing our past tandem format that coordinates these NIOSH supported conferences with regular national corrections meetings. Our research has confirmed that serious health issues affect this public safety sector workforce, and that these are exacerbated by violence, trauma, and stress that occur intrinsically in correctional work environments (Jaegers et al., 2022; 2019; Obidoa et al., 2011). Corrections officers are disproportionately burdened by fatalities from violence, by high rates of non-fatal injuries from assaults and involvement in violent events, and by high rates of homicide and suicide in inmates, and (Konda, et. al., 2012). Rates of mental disorders in COs exceed other criminal justice professions and the general public, with 53% of jail officers meeting the criteria for PTSD (Jaegers et al. 2019) and 31% for depression (Jaegers et al., 2020; NIJ, 2016). Our recent NIC investigation revealed the scarcity of intervention research to address the mental health needs of corrections workers. Our scoping literature review for NIC identified only 25 studies in 7 categories that were suitable for building an inventory (policies, practices, peer support, and training) suitable for addressing worker trauma and organizational stress. Through our partnership with NIC we have engaged and expanded the NCC Project Taskforce (NCC-PT) to 41 active members representing correctional workplaces, researchers, unions, and professionals critical to informing conference meeting design and evaluation.