Using the Total Worker Health® Approach to Improve Health and Safety in Corrections

corrections

Correctional officers play a critical role in public safety, yet the demands of the job can take a toll. Long shifts, mandatory overtime, and high stress situations are common, and these conditions can affect both physical and mental health.

Since 2006, the researchers at the Center for the Promotion of Health in the New England Workplace (CPH-NEW) have been working with the corrections workforce to better understand these challenges and identify practical ways to address them. CPH-NEW's work applies the Total Worker Health (TWH) approach, which focuses on improving workplace conditions while supporting healthier workers and organizations.

Discover trainings, practical resources, and research from CPH-NEW to support correctional officer health, safety, and well-being. Unionized organizations may also find helpful materials on our page for union leaders.

Want to learn how to implement the TWH approach at your organization? CPH-NEW offers both online courses you can enroll in and take now and virtual instructor-led trainings.

On-demand eLearning courses that can introduce corrections workers to TWH concepts:

  • Introduction to Total Worker Health Principles
  • Total Worker Health Employer Crisis Preparedness

CPH-NEW On-demand courses

Virtual Courses for Total Worker Health Champions 

Case Studies

CPH News & Views: Emerging Topics

For more issues, visit the CPH News & Views: Emerging Topic Briefs webpage. 

Total Worker Health Mentoring Toolkit for Corrections Personnel

The primary goal of the TWH Mentoring Toolkit is to combat the decline in health found in the beginning of a correctional worker's career.

Webinars

Evidence Informed Resources to Address Worker Stress and Trauma Among Correctional Workforce Webinar (5/10/23)

Correctional staff working in jails and prisons are at risk for stress, burnout, and psychological distress from traumatic events experienced on the job. This webinar discusses findings from a research scoping review and national survey to identify best practices and innovative solutions to reduce correctional staff trauma and organizational stress  in U.S. jails and prisons. This webinar was part of the ongoing TWH Trends: Expert Webinar Series.

CPH-NEW Corrections Research Studies

CPH-NEW Corrections Publications

This is a sampling of relevant corrections research. Visit the Publications page for the full list.