The National Institute of Corrections (NIC) presents Development of Evidence Informed Learning Resources to Promote Staff Wellness, Well-Being, and the Reduction of Staff Trauma and Organizational Stress in Prison and Jail Settings: Brief Report. The document highlights findings from a multi-phase initiative designed to identify and better understand stress and trauma resources for correctional officers. Grounded in the NIOSH Total Worker Health® framework and the U.S. Surgeon General’s Five Essentials for Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being, this project engaged correctional professionals nationwide to identify effective, practical strategies that support correctional officers across prison and jail settings.
Through a scoping review of the literature and a national survey of more than 1,300 correctional professionals across 38 states, the project identified commonly used resources, including policies, promising practices, peer support, training, and critical gaps in awareness and implementation. Findings highlight the importance of participatory engagement, peer support, leadership training, and multi-level prevention strategies that address individual, interpersonal, institutional, and community factors. This body of work offers actionable recommendations to strengthen staff health, safety, and well-being initiatives and promote healthier, more resilient correctional organizations.
The project is currently in Phase 2, focusing on including additional job series that have direct inmate contact beyond the correctional officer series (for example, probation and parole; healthcare, including mental health, non-healthcare, social services or case management; education; guidance & career counselors; spiritual services and others).
