Officer Wellness for Supervisors in Corrections
Justin Beetz, CJM
In the realm of corrections, discussions surrounding officer wellness typically center around the front-line deputies who face daily challenges maintaining the care, custody, and control of the incarcerated population. However, the wellness of supervisors within correctional facilities often receives less attention despite their significant role and the unique stressors they encounter. Supervisors are tasked with overseeing operations, supporting their teams, taking on the additional liability that comes with becoming a supervisor, all while navigating their own stressors. Understanding these challenges and exploring proactive wellness strategies can improve the overall health and effectiveness of corrections staff.
Unique Stressors Faced by Supervisors
Supervisors in corrections encounter a multifaceted set of stressors distinct from those experienced by their subordinates. These can include:
1. Increased Responsibility: Supervisors are responsible for the well-being and performance of their teams, operational efficiency, and adherence to policies and regulations. The weight of accountability can create a persistent source of stress.
2. Role Ambiguity: Supervisors often find themselves balancing their role as a leader while maintaining camaraderie with their teams. This dual responsibility can blur professional boundaries, creating an internal conflict that adds to their mental and emotional strain. Balancing their role as a supervisor as well as building rapport with their staff is something that is extremely difficult to manage and not something that is offered in any type of training.
3. Administrative Pressure: Supervisors must meet deadlines, make tough decisions, and ensure compliance with internal and external audits. The pressure to maintain high standards and manage resources effectively can create stress. Having to give directions to your subordinates that you might not agree with is also a tough situation supervisors are put in that could add a ton of stress.
4. Conflict Resolution: Mediating disputes among staff members or between staff and incarcerated individuals are a frequent responsibility. The emotional toll of resolving conflicts can be compounded by the need to remain impartial and authoritative. Supervisors are constantly put in a situation where they become the psychologist of the shift that works out issues amongst co-workers.
5. Isolation: While supervisors often work closely with deputies, their leadership position can isolate them, limiting their opportunities for peer support. This isolation can lead to feelings of loneliness and a lack of emotional outlets. Many deputies don’t always feel right becoming close with their supervisor; therefore, the supervisor often becomes an outsider to an extent.
6. Constant Vigilance: Supervisors must maintain a heightened sense of awareness for potential risks to staff and inmate safety, which can lead to chronic stress and hypervigilance. If something goes wrong where a deputy gets injured while a supervisor is managing the shift, it is difficult for a supervisor to not take some of the burden of responsibility for that issue. Often, supervisors take ownership of their own shortcomings and make the incident their own fault.
The Impact of Supervisor-Level Stress
Unaddressed stress in supervisors can have significant implications not only for their well-being but also for the organization. Prolonged stress can lead to burnout, negatively impacting decision-making, team morale, and retention rates. Additionally, supervisors experiencing high levels of stress may become less approachable, creating a barrier between them and their teams that can hinder effective communication and trust within their squad.
Chronic stress can manifest through physical symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, and sleep disturbances, as well as psychological symptoms like anxiety, irritability, and depression. When these issues are not managed, they can contribute to a decline in workplace performance and an increase in absenteeism or turnover.
Proactive Strategies for Managing Stress
To maintain a healthy and productive work environment, it is essential to adopt proactive measures aimed at reducing and managing stress at the supervisory level. Here are strategies to address these needs:
1. Building a Support Network: Supervisors should seek out and cultivate a professional support network. This network can include peers within the facility, mentors, or external support groups specializing in law enforcement. Sharing experiences and discussing challenges can reduce feelings of isolation and provide perspective. Supervisors are often in charge of making sure the deputies understand EAP and are willing to reach out to peer-support programs. Supervisors should also take advantage of these resources to ensure they take care of themselves.
2. Training and Professional Development: Investing in training programs that focus on leadership, conflict resolution, and stress management can empower supervisors with the tools they need to handle their responsibilities more effectively. Training should include practical methods for maintaining composure under pressure and techniques for effective communication. Another training opportunity that is often not used due to ego is reaching out to other supervisors that have the experience going through stressors that you could possibly be going through now and seeing how they handle it. If your agency doesn’t currently have supervisor specific training, this could be something you may want to approach your training division about possibly implementing.
3. Time Management and Delegation: Supervisors often feel pressure to handle tasks independently to ensure quality outcomes. Learning to delegate responsibilities appropriately and trust subordinates can alleviate workload pressure and foster team development. Prioritizing tasks and setting realistic deadlines can help supervisors manage their time more efficiently. Triaging tasks is a skill that is imperative in the role of leadership and once this skill is mastered, it could alleviate a ton of those time-crunch stressors that occur frequently.
4. Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques: Introducing mindfulness practices such as deep breathing, meditation, or short mindfulness breaks can help supervisors maintain mental clarity. Mindfulness has been shown to reduce stress and improve resilience, allowing individuals to respond more effectively to high-pressure situations. There are a ton of resources on how to properly practice mindfulness exercises through YouTube or other online resources.
5. Physical Wellness Programs: Encouraging physical activity and proper nutrition can be pivotal for managing stress. Supervisors should be encouraged to participate in wellness programs that include exercise routines, nutritional advice, and regular health check-ups. Physical activity helps reduce stress hormones and promotes the release of endorphins, contributing to overall well-being.
6. Work-Life Balance: Maintaining a healthy balance between professional and personal life is crucial for long-term wellness. Correctional facilities can promote work-life balance by implementing policies such as flexible scheduling, paid time off, and limits on overtime. Supervisors should also be encouraged to take regular breaks and fully utilize vacation time without feeling guilty. Annual time is a benefit that is given for a reason and should be utilized to ensure you get your much-needed breaks.
7. Access to Mental Health Resources: Normalizing the use of mental health services, including counseling and therapy, is essential. Supervisors should be educated on the importance of mental health and provided with resources to seek help when needed. Having access to on-site or partnered counseling services can make seeking assistance easier and less stigmatized.
Preventive Measures to Mitigate Stress
Prevention is as important as management when it comes to stress. By implementing policies and fostering a culture that prioritizes wellness, correctional facilities can prevent stressors from escalating. Here are some key preventive measures:
1. Creating an Open-Door Policy: Supervisors should feel empowered to express concerns or seek guidance without fear of repercussion. Facility leaders should establish an open-door policy that encourages open communication at all levels. Building a relationship with the supervisors to the point where they know their opinions can be heard or they could even vent is a practice that could go a long way.
2. Regular Check-Ins: Facility administrators can conduct routine check-ins with supervisors to assess their stress levels and workload. These check-ins should be structured as supportive discussions rather than performance reviews. These could be done quarterly and be very informal. Work-related activities don’t even have to be the main topic of discussion.
3. Workshops and Peer Groups: Organizing workshops and peer support groups that focus on wellness topics can create a shared understanding and foster camaraderie. These forums allow supervisors to learn from each other and share coping strategies in a structured environment.
4. Recognition and Appreciation: Acknowledging the hard work and dedication of supervisors can go a long way in boosting morale. Simple gestures such as public recognition, awards, or personalized notes of appreciation can remind supervisors that their efforts are valued. Many agencies recognize the “Deputy of the Quarter,” but also making sure you recognize those who are overseeing those deputies is important as well.
5. Flexible Leadership Models: Leadership models that allow supervisors some autonomy in decision-making can reduce the stress associated with rigid protocols. Providing supervisors with the latitude to tailor their management style based on situational needs can increase job satisfaction and reduce tension. Trusting your supervisors to make decisions and giving them the opportunity to learn from their mistakes is crucial to growth in the agency.
Solutions to Address Immediate Stress
While preventive measures and long-term strategies are essential, there are also immediate actions that supervisors can take to address stress:
1. Mindful Breathing Exercises: When facing a particularly stressful situation, supervisors can practice quick deep-breathing exercises. A simple technique is to inhale deeply for four counts, hold for four counts, and exhale for four counts. This technique helps reset the nervous system and provides a moment of calm.
2. Journaling: Keeping a stress journal to document events, thoughts, and feelings can help supervisors identify stress patterns and triggers. Reviewing these entries can offer insights into handling similar situations in the future.
3. Quick Physical Activities: Taking a few moments to stretch or walk can help break the stress cycle. Even five-minute movement breaks can reinvigorate energy levels and provide a mental reset. Something as easy as conducting an extra perimeter check could give you the exercise you need to get you back in the right mindset.
4. Seeking Immediate Support: Reaching out to a trusted colleague or superior when a situation becomes overwhelming can provide immediate relief. A quick discussion can offer new perspectives and reduce the sense of isolation.
Conclusion
Supervisors in corrections play an integral role in maintaining the safety and functionality of facilities, but they face unique stressors that, if left unaddressed, can lead to burnout and reduced effectiveness. By recognizing the challenges supervisors face and implementing strategies to mitigate stress, correctional facilities can support a healthier work environment. Fostering open communication, providing access to mental health resources, and promoting proactive wellness practices not only benefit supervisors but also enhance the overall stability and morale of the workforce. Prioritizing wellness at every leadership level ensures that the entire team can perform their duties with clarity, resilience, and dedication.
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Lieutenant Justin Beetz, CJM started his career in corrections with the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office as a detention deputy in 2013 and has had the opportunity to teach Officer Wellness topics at many conferences. He is employed at the Pasco Hernando State College as an instructor, where he spends time teaching corrections recruits various topics. He can be contacted at jbeetz@hernandosheriff.org