Relationship between work-family conflict and anxiety/depression among Chinese correctional officers: a moderated mediation model of burnout and resilience.

BACKGROUND: Correctional officers tend to have high levels of work-family conflict (WFC). WFC has been found associated with various forms of psychological distress and to affect the overall well-being of correctional officers. Burnout and resilience may affect the relationship between WFC and psychological distress, however, this association still remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the mediating effect of burnout on the relationship between WFC and anxiety/depression and the moderating role of resilience, within the context of correctional officers. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in China from October 2021 to January 2022. WFC, burnout, resilience, anxiety, and depression were evaluated using the Work-Family Conflict Scale (WFCS), Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS), 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). Mediation and moderation models were then tested using the PROCESS macro in SPSS, with burnout being a mediator and resilience playing a moderating role in the relationship between WFC and anxiety/depression. RESULTS: A total of 472 correctional officers were included. Burnout was found to mediate the relationship between WFC and anxiety (b = 0.14, 95%CI [0.10, 0.19]) and the relationship between WFC and depression (b = 0.23, 95%CI [0.18, 0.28]). Additionally, resilience played a moderating role in the direct effect of WFC on anxiety (b = - 0.02, p < 0.01) and the first half of the indirect effect of WFC on anxiety (b = - 0.007, p < 0.05). Furthermore, resilience was also found to moderate the first half of the indirect effect of WFC on depression (b = - 0.02, p < 0.01), but not the direct effect of WFC on depression (b = - 0.005, p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study may improve our understanding by elucidating the fundamental mechanisms of the connection between WFC and psychological distress among correctional officers. The results have significant implications for policymakers and individuals, as they suggest that diverse interventions may help promote the mental well-being of correctional officers.

The impact of workplace violence on job burnout among Chinese correctional officers: the chain mediating effects of stress and insomnia.

BACKGROUND: The risk of workplace violence and job burnout among Chinese correctional officers is high. Stress and insomnia may influence the relationship between workplace violence and job burnout; however, this influence has been rarely studied. This study aimed to explore the effect of workplace violence on job burnout among Chinese correctional officers and to assess the contribution of stress and insomnia to this effect. METHODS: In this study, the workplace violence scale, the Assens insomnia scale, the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey scale were used to assess the workplace violence, insomnia, stress, and job burnout experienced by the 472 correctional officers, respectively. RESULTS: The results showed that (1) workplace violence was significantly and positively predictive of job burnout, (2) workplace violence affected job burnout through the mediation of stress, (3) workplace violence affected job burnout through the mediation of insomnia, and (4) stress and insomnia played fully interlocking mediating roles in the effect of workplace violence on job burnout. CONCLUSION: Stress and insomnia may play a full mediating role in the relationship between workplace violence and job burnout. This suggested that correctional officers may take measures to reduce stress and improve insomnia, thereby reducing their job burnout. Further research may focus on the development of effective interventions to reduce stress and improve insomnia among correctional officers.

Study protocol for a controlled trial of a resilience program on psychological distress in correctional officers in Australia.

BACKGROUND: The mental health impacts of workers within correctional settings has been of increasing focus over the past number of years. This paper outlines the study protocol for a trial that tests the efficacy of a brief resilience program, relative to a no intervention control in reducing general psychological distress and absenteeism in a cohort of correctional personnel in NSW, Australia. METHODS: A, parallel, randomized controlled trial will be carried out in a small group format. Following informed consent, corrective personnel within prisons across NSW will volunteer to either attend a clinician delivered resilience program on stress management skills or not (N = 600). The primary outcome will be change in psychological distress including anxiety and depression at 2-months post intervention. Secondary outcomes include help-seeking behaviours and absenteeism. DISCUSSION: This prevention focused treatment trial will assess whether a brief clinician delivered resilience program will reduce absenteeism and mitigate psychological distress in a cohort of corrective personnel within NSW, Australia. This study will yield insights into the role of a brief psychological program in mitigating the psychological distress reported by personnel in correctional settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was prospectively registered on the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12622000029796). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval has been obtained from University of New South Wales Human Research Ethics Committee. Results of the trial will be submitted for publication in peer reviewed journals and findings presented at scientific conferences and to key service providers and policy makers.

Association between sleep quality and occupational factors in Brazilian correctional officers.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the occupational factors associated with poor sleep quality in correctional officers (COs). METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study involving COs who work at four prison facilities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Logistic and linear regression models were used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and beta coefficient (ß) of poor sleep quality and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI), respectively. The analyses were adjusted for the main confounders. RESULTS: Considering the 256 male COs who participated in the study, 148 (57.8%) had poor sleep quality. In the adjusted analyses, poor sleep quality was associated with higher mental demands (OR = 3.10; 95% CI: 1.40-6.85), having suffered psychological violence at work (OR = 2.13; 95% CI: 1.04-4.35), agreeing with the following statement: "I think about work-related issues in my free time" (OR = 5.13; 95% CI: 1.26-20.78), feeling partially dissatisfied (OR = 2.26; 95% CI: 1.09-4.68) or dissatisfied with work (OR = 4.52; CI: 1.32-15.46) and willingness to find another job (OR = 3.20; 95% CI: 1.53-6.71). The occupational factors dissatisfaction with work (ß = 1.02; 95% CI: 0.05-1.98) and having health problems related to the work environment (ß = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.24-2.41) were also associated with higher scores on the PSQI. CONCLUSION: Poor quality of sleep is a highly frequent health problem among correctional officers, and this condition is associated with the perception of poor working conditions, professional dissatisfaction and the fact that such professionals think about work during their free time.

Latent Tuberculosis Infection Diagnosis Using QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus Kit Among Correctional Workers: A Cross-Sectional Study in Francisco Beltrão-PR, Brazil.

Correctional workers form a high-priority group for tuberculosis control measures because of their high exposure and risk. This cross-sectional study conducted in April and May 2022 included 71 criminal police officers from the State Penitentiary of Francisco Beltrão-PR, Brazil. Their sociodemographic and laboratory data were collected. Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) was assessed using a QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus in-tube test kit. Binary logistic regression was applied to calculate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of the LTBI predictors. The prevalence of LTBI was 22.6% (95% CI, 12.8-32.2%). Factors associated with LTBI were age > 43 years (OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.04-0.70; p < 0.014) and the use of medications (OR, 5.13; 95% CI, 1.40-18.87; p < 0.014). The prevalence was close to that estimated worldwide for LTBI in correctional workers, reinforcing the need for occupational health control measures consisting of regular screening and treatment of positive cases of latent infection among correctional workers to reduce the risk of illness and spread of infection in the penitentiary system and community.

Factors influencing the happiness of male correctional officers: A cross-sectional study in South Korea.

PURPOSE: This study is a descriptive research study using a self-reported survey method to determine the impact of correctional officers' job satisfaction, leisure satisfaction, and family strengths on their happiness. METHODS: This study targeted 269 male correctional officers working in correctional facilities established in P and S cities. The tools used in this study were job satisfaction, leisure satisfaction, and family strengths and happiness. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 22.0 program according to the research purpose. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, analysis of differences in happiness according to demographic characteristics, correlations between variables, and finally, analysis of factors affecting happiness through multiple linear regression. RESULTS: As a result of this study, job satisfaction(ß = 0.081, p = 0.036), leisure satisfaction(ß = 0.078, p = 0.001), and family strengths(ß = 0.081, p = 0.001) were found to be factors affecting the happiness of male correctional officers, and the explanatory power of these variables was found to be 26.0%. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, it is necessary to identify factors that affect the happiness of male correctional officers and provide various counseling and program interventions that can contribute to improving happiness.

Remote mental health first aid training for correctional officers: A pilot study.

Mental health first aid (MHFA) training is a low-cost, evidence-based intervention that teaches trainees to recognize signs of mental distress. Thirty correctional officers (COs) were recruited to participate in a remote MHFA intervention study. The COs were divided into three MHFA training sessions, with no more than 10 COs per group. Data collection assessments included pretest and posttest surveys and a focus group meeting. Of the 30 eligible CO participants, 27 completed the study, including follow-up assessments. Nine COs participated in a focus group meeting-one third (n = 9) of the CO participants identified as female, and the remaining identified as male. Most CO participants self-identified as White (n = 17), and two thirds (n = 18) of the CO participants were 35-54 years old. There was a strong military influence, with about close to half (48%) of COs identifying as a veteran. A paired sample t test was used to analyze whether there were any differences in mental health knowledge scores from pre- and postintervention. There were no significant differences between the pre- and postintervention results for the five MHFA knowledge items. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to analyze differences in pre- and postintervention data for mental health referral items. From pre- to posttraining, COs reported that it would be easier to make a mental health referral for someone experiencing a mental health challenge (Z = -2.087, p = .037). At 12 weeks, COs referred 2.6 (SD: 4.30, range 1-20) people incarcerated for mental health services. The reasons for referral included: "suicidal thoughts," "experiencing anxiety over being incarcerated during COVID," and "considering self-harm." A phenomenological approach was used to analyze the focus group meeting. The themes identified were: (a) COs experience with MHFA training was viewed positively (facilitators); (b) there is a need to improve mental wellness in correctional settings (barriers); and (c) mental health referral process for incarcerated individuals needs enhancement when implementing MHFA (barriers). MHFA training for COs is necessary to equip COs with the skills to safely support and refer incarcerated people experiencing a mental health crisis. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Using nominal group technique to identify perceived barriers and facilitators to improving uptake of the Prison Needle Exchange Program in Canadian federal prisons by correctional officers and healthcare workers.

BACKGROUND: Elimination of bloodborne viruses including HIV and hepatitis C virus from prisons requires high coverage of evidence-based interventions that prevent bloodborne virus transmission, including needle and syringe programs. Canada launched a Prison Needle Exchange Program (PNEP) in nine federal prisons in 2018; however, uptake among people who inject drugs in prison remains low. We aimed to explore barriers and facilitators to improving PNEP uptake identified by correctional officers and healthcare workers. METHODS: Participants from nine federal prisons with PNEP completed focus groups using nominal group technique, a rapid mixed-method consensus strategy. Responses were generated, rank-ordered, and prioritized by each stakeholder group. We identified the highest-ranking responses (≥10 % of the overall votes) to questions about barriers and facilitators to PNEP uptake. RESULTS: Between September 2023 and February 2024, 16 focus groups were conducted with 118 participants (n = 51 correctional officers; n = 67 healthcare workers). Among correctional officers, the top perceived barriers were bullying from peers (22 %), fear of being targeted by correctional officers (14 %), and fear of repercussions due to drug use (13 %). The top facilitators were safe injection sites (30 %), provision of wrap-around services (16 %), and education of correctional officers (10 %). Among healthcare workers, the top perceived barriers were lack of confidentiality (16 %), fear of being targeted by correctional officers (12 %), and a long and complex application process (11 %). The top facilitators were education of correctional officers (29 %), delivery of PNEP by an external provider (15 %), automatic approval for participation in the PNEP (13 %), and safe injection sites (12 %). CONCLUSION: Multiple modifiable barriers and solutions to improving PNEP uptake in Canadian federal prisons were identified by correctional employees. Both participant groups identified the potential for safe injection sites and education to correctional officers as enabling PNEP uptake. These data will inform Canadian efforts to improve engagement and to expand PNEP coverage.

Normalizing fentanyl: interpreting the perceived 'risk' of correctional officer work.

BACKGROUND: Scholarship on how fentanyl affects the complexities of correctional settings is limited in Canada, as scholars have focused on the prevalence of opioid use and overdose in prisons, as well as community treatment and access following release. Fentanyl constitutes a continuing challenge both in prisons and broader society. RESULTS: The current qualitative, interview-based empirical study examines how fentanyl is interpreted by correctional officers (COs, n = 99) across federal prisons in Canada, some of whom have worked in institutions with a high presence of fentanyl, while others have less exposure to the drug. We found that while many COs had responded to an overdose during their first or second year on the job, most COs who had did not perceive the event to be psychologically traumatic nor were concerned about the presence and availability fentanyl in their work environment, or they were indifferent. Yet this finding competes with the 41.4% of officers who did express concern about the presence of fentanyl - suggesting both a "normalization" of fentanyl as a workplace hazard as well as an underpinning social concern. CONCLUSIONS: We discuss the implications of these complicated findings in relation to reducing workplace stressors and countering misinformation that, in addition to other potential occupational factors, may be responsible for the concerns of COs tied to the presence of fentanyl.

A Canadian national study of provincial and territorial correctional workers' suicidal ideation, plans, and attempts.

Correctional workers (CWs) endure several operational stressors (e.g., exposures to potentially psychologically traumatic events) and organisational stressors (e.g., shift work, staff shortages), which are associated with positive screens for mental disorders and self-reports of suicidal behaviours and thus urgently warrant further inquiry. The Canadian Provincial and Territorial Correctional Worker Mental Health and Well-Being Study (CWMH) used an online survey to collect data from Canadian correctional service organisations across all 13 provinces and territories. This national Canadian study investigates suicidal behaviours among CWs across diverse occupational roles and provincial and territorial jurisdictions (n = 3740, 50.1% female). The results estimated prevalence proportions for self-reported past-year and lifetime suicidal thoughts, planning, and attempts across the 13 Canadian provincial and territorial correctional systems, with the exceptions of past-year suicidal planning in Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Yukon where jurisdictional considerations and requests precluded the inclusion of select questions. Substantial proportions of participants reported past-year or lifetime suicidal ideation (i.e., 9.1%, 29.2%, respectively), planning (i.e., 4.1%, 14.7%, respectively), or attempts (i.e., 0.8%, 7.2%, respectively). Sociodemographic variables (i.e., sex, age, marital status, total years of service, occupational category) were associated with past-year and lifetime suicidal behaviours. Findings provide opportunities for future research and can inform tailored efforts by clinicians, service providers, and organisational leaders to support proactive interventions and treatments, including supporting the partners and families of CWs, fostering social support networks, and improving access to timely mental health treatment.

"We don't even know where it's kept": exploring perspectives on naloxone administration by provincial correctional workers in Manitoba, Canada.

PURPOSE: Prisonersare at disproportionate risk of suffering substance-related harms. The administration of naloxone is essential to reversing opioid overdose and minimizing substance-related harms in prison and the community. The purpose of this study is to examine how naloxone administration is practiced and perceived in prison settings. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The authors conducted surveys with correctional workers in Manitoba, Canada (n = 257) to examine how they understand and feel about the need for and practice of administering naloxone in their everyday work with criminalized populations. FINDINGS: Respondents reported feeling a great need to administer naloxone, but most did not feel adequately trained to administer naloxone, creating the perception that criminalized populations remain at enhanced risk. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: Findings provide emerging evidence of the need for training and accompanying policies and procedures for correctional workers on how to access and administer naloxone.

A silent threat behind bars: Serosurvey and associated risk factors for strongyloidiasis in female inmates and correctional officers.

Strongyloidiasis has been a neglected parasitic infection caused by Strongyloides genus parasites. Despite assessment of S. stercoralis exposure in different vulnerable populations, seroprevalence in inmates worldwide remains to be fully established. Due to poor sanitation and lack of personal hygienic practices, incarcerated individuals have been considered prone to spread infectious illnesses. Accordingly, the present study has assessed exposure and associated risk factors for strongyloidiasis in women inmates and correctional officers at the Women's State Penitentiary of Parana, part of the third largest incarceration complex in Brazil at the time. Blood samplings were performed in 2020 and 2021from a total of 503 women inmates and 92 correctional officers. Participants voluntarily responded to an epidemiological questionnaire to assess associated risk factors to strongyloidiasis. Serological analysis was performed by ELISA for anti-S. stercoralis IgG detection. Statistical analysis was performed using R software, adopting a 5% level of significance. The data were submitted to univariate analysis by chi-square or Fisher´s Exact test for assessing the association among seropositivity and the variables. The variables with p-value < 0.2 in the univariate analysis were considered fit to be included in the logistic regression. In overall, 356/503 (70.8%; 95% CI: 66.7-74.6) inmates were seropositive for anti-S. stercoralis antibodies, with no statistically associated risk factor to seropositivity. A total of 57/92 (62.0%; 95% CI: 51.8-71.2) correctional officers were seropositive, and logistic regression revealed that individuals older than 50 years were more likely seropositive. In conclusion, the high endemicity observed herein has indicated a history of previous exposure to S. stercoralis and warned for a systematic strongyloidiasis screening for inmates, to prevent long term morbidity and disseminated infection during incarceration.

Sleep quality and mental disorder symptoms among correctional workers in Ontario, Canada.

Correctional workers (CWs) report high levels of work stressors, frequent exposures to potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs), and substantial mental health challenges. There is evidence of associations between sleep disturbances and diverse mental health challenges, including preliminary evidence from public safety personnel; however, replications and extensions would better inform interventions to support mental health. The current study was designed to examine associations between quality of sleep, work stress, and mental health disorders in a sample of diverse CWs employed in a provincial correctional service in Ontario, Canada. Data were analyzed from 943 CWs who participated in the cross-sectional, web-based Ontario Provincial Correctional Worker Mental Health and Well-Being Study conducted from December 2017 to June 2018. Sleep quality indicators included symptoms of insomnia, total hours of sleep per night on work nights and off-shift nights, number of days feeling rested per week, and overall sleep quality. Descriptive statistics, analyses of variance, correlational analyses, and logistic regression were used to examine relationships among sleep quality, stress of shift work, and mental health disorder symptoms. CWs slept an average of 6.0 h per night when working and 7.2 h during off-shift nights. CWs reported waking up feeling rested an average of 2.6 days per week and rated their overall quality of sleep in the fair to poor range. Many CWs (64.9%) screened positive for clinically significant symptoms of insomnia. There were also differences across occupational groups such that CWs working as correctional officers reported the most sleep problems. There were statistically significant relationships between insomnia and mental health disorder symptoms. Higher levels of stress from shift work were associated with worse sleep quality. CWs, especially those working as correctional officers in a provincial prison, reported many indicators consistent with poorer quality of sleep. Poor quality of sleep was also associated with work stress and mental health disorders.

Pull and Push: The Effect of Social Support and Professional Resilience on the Relationship Between Correctional Officers' Cynicism and Service Impact.

This research examines the protective influences of social support and professional resilience to probation officers' cynicism and service impact simultaneously. Data on psychological characteristics of a sample of 382 forensic social workers in Chinese legal systems were collected. Confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling, and multiple-group analyses were used in a three-step analysis process to test our research model. Results identified that cynicism was negatively associated with probation officers' service impact, ascertained that social support functioned as an extrinsic pull mediating the relationship between probation officers' cynicism and service impact, and determined that professional resilience served as an intrinsic push moderating the impact of cynicism and social support on service impact, respectively. This research proposed a push and pull mechanism by which probation officers' service impact is increased and their work pressure is alleviated, providing tentative recommendations for the alleviation of probation officers' job pressure and improvement of their service impact.

Community Corrections Officers' Perspectives of the Impact of Hurricane Maria on the Participant's Mental Health and Substance Use: A Qualitative Content Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored community supervision officers' perceptions of the individual, community, and organizational challenges confronted by program participants after Hurricane María and their recommendations for future emergency management. METHODS: A qualitative content analysis was conducted for nine focus group with community supervision officers in Puerto Rico. Participants were asked about their perceptions of how the mental health and drug abuse of persons on parole or probation were affected and the measures taken to address these concerns in disaster response. RESULTS: Narratives expose vulnerabilities experienced by those supervised and the aggregated challenges that impact retention in health and rehabilitative services, all of which can detract from successful sentence completion. The disaster response categories call for a more adaptable approach to overseeing procedures in light of the difficulties involved and recognizing the support of the supervised population who have contributed to community initiatives. CONCLUSION: Findings will contribute to informing planning, preparedness, and responses that mitigate the adverse consequences this vulnerable population may experience when exposed to future disaster hazards. Addressing emergency preparedness in this setting provides an opportunity to enact reforms in community supervision and improve access to services needed to enable the successful reintegration of individuals into their communities.

Integrated Safety and Health Promotion among Correctional Workers and People Incarcerated: A Scoping Review.

Improving safety and health for correctional workers and people who are incarcerated are widespread yet separate initiatives. Correctional workers and people who are incarcerated experience similar challenges involved with poor workplaces and living conditions, including mental health crises, violence, stress, and chronic health issues, and the available resources lack integration with respect to safety and health promotion. This scoping review sought to contribute to an integrated approach for correctional system safety and health resources and identify studies of correctional resources that address health promotion among correctional workers and people who are incarcerated. Guided by PRISMA, a search of gray literature, also termed peer-reviewed literature, published between 2013-2023 (n = 2545) was completed, and 16 articles were identified. Resources primarily targeted individual and interpersonal levels. At every level of intervention, resources improved the environment for both workers and those incarcerated, with trends of less conflict, more positive behaviors, and improved relations, access to care, and feelings of safety. The corrections environment is impacted by changes from both workers and people who are incarcerated and should be examined using a holistic approach. Future health and safety resources should target the larger correctional environment by utilizing practices, policies, and procedures to improve safety and health for incarcerated people and workers.

Exposures to correctional-specific potentially psychologically traumatic events among Ontario provincial correctional workers.

OBJECTIVE: Correctional work involves exposures to correctional-specific potentially psychologically traumatic events (PPTEs); however, the frequency and impact of such PPTEs on the mental health of correctional workers remain unclear. We analyzed the prevalence and frequency of 13 different occupational-specific PPTE exposures among correctional workers (n = 980; 50.7% female) and estimated associations with mental health symptoms. METHOD: The survey data used are from the Provincial Ontario Correctional Worker Mental Health Prevalence Study in Canada. Cross-tabulations, Chi-square tests, ANOVAs, and logistic regression are used to examine the following: (a) the distribution of correctional-specific PPTEs across correctional worker occupational categories; (b) the frequencies of correctional-specific PPTE exposures; and (c) the association between correctional-specific PPTEs and mental disorders. Population-attributable fractions (PAFs) are used to estimate the proportion of mental disorders that may be attributable to PPTE exposures. RESULTS: Most correctional workers reported exposures to most types of PPTEs, including being directly threatened or subject to abusive language (94.6%), de-escalating a prison/client in mental health crisis (92.2%), and using force or suit up and resort to "use of force" in a nontraining situation (70.6%). The mean number of lifetime PPTE exposures was 7.79 (SD = 3.33). There were statistically significant differences in PPTE exposure patterns across correctional worker categories. PPTEs were positively associated with mental disorder symptoms for all participants. PAFs indicated that mental disorders among correctional workers could reduce by 66%-80% with the elimination of all PPTEs among correctional workers. CONCLUSIONS: Eliminating PPTE exposures is unlikely in the correctional environment; nevertheless, the results indicate that mitigating PPTEs may drastically improve the mental health of correctional workers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Inmates Through Education for Correctional Officers-A Narrative Review.

INTRODUCTION: People with mental illness are overrepresented in correctional facilities. Correctional officers (COs) lack education to respond to inmates with mental illness. A review was conducted of mental health education programs for COs to identify factors related to effectiveness. METHODS: Medical and criminal justice databases were searched for articles describing mental health education for COs. Studies including measurable outcomes were analyzed using an inductive analytic approach. The review adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines for scoping reviews. Data were synthesized using Moore seven levels of outcomes for continuing professional development education. Findings were grouped by curriculum content and described according to levels of outcome. RESULTS: Of 1492 articles, 11 were included in the analysis. Six described mental health programs, two described skill-specific programs, and three described suicide prevention programs. Programs reviewed content about mental illness, practical skills, included didactic and experiential teaching. The programs achieved level 5 on Moore taxonomy. Programs led to improvements in knowledge, skills, and attitudes among officers; however, improvements declined post-training. Officers were receptive to facilitators with correctional or lived mental health experience. Experiential teaching was preferred. Common themes related to programs' effectiveness included applicability to COs, information retention, program facilitators, and teaching methods. DISCUSSION: There is limited, but positive literature suggesting that education programs are beneficial. The decline in improvements suggests need to ensure sustainability of improvements. This review can guide the planning of future education programs for COs based on continuing professional development best practices.

Prevalence and factors associated with anxiety and depression among Chinese prison officers during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: This study examined the prevalence of anxiety and depression-along with the potential risk and protective factors-among Chinese prison officers during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic. Method: A cross-sectional survey of 1,268 officers from five prisons in western and southern China was administered between June and July 2022. The questionnaires comprised two sections. In the first section, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used to evaluate the prevalence of anxiety and depression, respectively, among prison officers. In the second section, the potential influencing factors were examined. Categorical data were compared using χ2 tests and t-tests; binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with anxiety and depression. Results: The prevalence rates of anxiety and depression among the prison officers were 72.6% and 69.8%, respectively. Risk factors for anxiety were older age, being unmarried, work-family conflicts, job demands, and COVID-19 burnout; protective factors were exercise, positive family relationships, and group cohesion. Work-family conflicts, job demands, intolerance of uncertainty regarding COVID-19, and COVID-19 burnout were risk factors for depression, whereas annual income >150,000 RMB, exercise, positive family relationships, group cohesion, and job autonomy were protective factors against depression. Conclusion: The prevalence of anxiety and depression among Chinese prison officers was relatively high during the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, and more targeted measures should be implemented to improve their mental health. This study offers a reference for improving prison officers' mental health in response to similar public health emergencies in the future.

Health and correctional staff acceptability of depot buprenorphine in NSW prisons.

BACKGROUND: Provision of opioid agonist treatment (OAT) in custodial settings is resource-intensive and may be associated with diversion, non-medical use, and violence. A clinical trial of a new OAT, depot buprenorphine (the UNLOC-T study), provided the opportunity to obtain health and correctional staff perspectives regarding this treatment prior to widespread roll-out. METHODS: Sixteen focus groups with 52 participants were conducted, including 44 health staff (nurses, nurse practitioners, doctors, and operational staff) and eight correctional staff. RESULTS: Key challenges to providing OAT identified as potentially being addressed by depot buprenorphine included 1) patient access, 2) OAT program capacity, 3) treatment administration procedures, 4) medication diversion and other safety issues and, 5) impact on other service delivery. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of depot buprenorphine into correctional settings was considered to have the potential to increase safety for patients, improve staff / patient relations and advance patient health outcomes via expanded treatment coverage and efficiencies gained through enhanced health service delivery. Support was almost universal from both correctional and health staff participating in this study. These findings build on emerging research regarding the positive impact of more flexible OAT programs and could be used to engage support for the implementation of depot buprenorphine from staff in other secure settings.