Mental Health and Wellness Programs for Jail Correctional Officers:

What the Research Shows (A Scoping Review)

Pamela Valera, PhD, MSW, Rida Sohail, BA, Taj Amad BA, MPH, Fabiola Millien-Faustin, BSW, and Corey A. Tolliver, LCSW, MSW

Correctional officers’ work in jails is demanding, unpredictable, and often stressful. Over time, chronic stress can affect safety, decision-making, health, and retention. To support officers and strengthen operations, many agencies are exploring wellness programs—but it can be hard to know what has been tested in jail or detention settings.

We conducted a scoping review (a structured scan of the published research) to identify peer-reviewed studies that evaluated mental health or wellness programs specifically with correctional officers working in U.S. jails or detention environments. Out of 1,246,206 records retrieved, 1,246,116 were triaged as out of scope prior to screening. Of the remaining 90, 71 were excluded at title review (duplicates; prison or policeonly; nonintervention; international). Nineteen proceeded to abstract screening; five were excluded (three not specific to COs; two literature syntheses/toolkits). Fourteen full texts were assessed; 11 did not meet eligibility criteria. Three studies met all inclusion criteria and were retained for data charting and synthesis and together, they point to three practical approaches: (1) brief skills training focused on emotional self-regulation and communication, (2) structured peer mentoring that supports health and stress management during the first year on the job, and (3) on-site movement and breathing sessions (such as yoga and mindfulness) paired with stress education.

Key Takeaways for Officers and Jail Leaders

• There is very little published research testing wellness programs in jail settings—only three studies met inclusion criteria (McCraty et al., 2009; Kotejoshyer et al., 2021; Smith et al., 2022).

• The programs that have been tested in jails/detention centers are practical and relatively low-tech: skills training, peer support/mentoring, and movement-plus-breathing practices (McCraty et al., 2009; Kotejoshyer et al., 2021; Smith et al., 2022).

• Leadership support and scheduling flexibility were consistent make-or-break factors for participation (Kotejoshyer et al., 2021; Smith et al., 2022).

• For jails starting from scratch, a small pilot with clear goals, line-staff input, and simple outcome tracking is a realistic first step.

Why Correctional Officer Wellness Matters in a Jail

Jails are different from prisons in ways that directly affect staff stress. High-volume intake and release, frequent movement, unpredictable behavior, and rapid changes in housing assignments can keep officers in a near-constant state of alert. When stress stays high for long periods, officers may experience sleep problems, irritability, burnout, and a higher risk of depression, substance use, and relationship strain. National reporting also highlights elevated suicide risk and shorter life expectancy among correctional staff, underscoring the urgency of prevention and support (Vera Institute of Justice, 2018; Frost, 2020). At the agency level, these impacts can show up as increased sick leave, higher turnover, injuries, use-of-force incidents, and training costs. There is no national standard that requires mental health or wellness interventions for jail correctional officers, and existing efforts are often implemented with limited evaluation (Kotejoshyer et al., 2021; Brend et al., 2025). Wellness programming is not a “nice to have”— it is one part of an overall safety and performance strategy.

What We Reviewed

Between October 2024 and May 2025, we searched peer-reviewed research for U.S. studies that evaluated an intervention aimed at improving mental health, stress, or overall wellness among correctional officers working in jail or detention settings. We screened titles, abstracts, and full texts. We excluded studies that focused only on prisons, police, or incarcerated populations; studies without an intervention; and non-U.S. settings. After narrowing the results to records that clearly addressed officer wellness interventions in jail/detention settings, three studies met all criteria and were summarized. Because much of the officer-wellness literature focuses on prison settings or broader correctional workforces, jail leaders often must adapt programs with limited setting-specific evidence (Trounson et al., 2016; Evers et al., 2020; Ricciardelli et al., 2020).

What the Studies Tested

The three studies used different program models and different ways of measuring results. Two studies compared participants to another group, while one study collected feedback only after the program. For readers who want the details, the skills-training study included physiological markers (e.g., blood pressure and heart rate variability) and used established psychological instruments and biofeedback, a type of mind-body technique you use to control some of your body’s functions, such as your heart rate.

Table 1. Jail And Detention Officer Wellness Interventions

"…practical skills training, peer mentoring, and on-site movement/breathing programs can reduce stress and burnout and strengthen morale."

What The Programs Had in Common

• Even though the three programs were different, several practical themes showed up across the studies. These themes are useful for jails that want to start or strengthen a wellness effort.

• Focusing on practical skills officers can use on the job, breathing, refocusing attention, and communication skills, rather than only encouraging “self-care” off duty (McCraty et al., 2009; Smith et al., 2022).

• Making wellness visible and legitimate. When leaders supported the program, and officers saw peers participating, stigma dropped, and participation improved (Kotejoshyer et al., 2021; Smith et al., 2022).

• Recognizing that schedule pressure is real. Programs that are flexible, brief, and accessible across shifts are more likely to reach line staff (Kotejoshyer et al., 2021; Smith et al., 2022).

• Results showed best when participation did not threaten confidentiality and did not feel like discipline or remediation.

How To Put This into Practice in a Jail

Based on the three evaluated programs and common barriers reported by staff, the following steps can help agencies translate “wellness” into an operationally realistic plan (McCraty et al., 2009; Kotejoshyer et al., 2021; Smith et al., 2022).

• Start small and define the goal. Examples: reduce burnout in new officers; improve sleep and recovery; strengthen peer support; or reduce sick leave. A clear goal helps you choose a program model and measures.

• Build it with line staff, not just for line staff. Include officers from different shifts/posts, training staff, and (when applicable) union leadership. Ask: What would make officers actually show up? What would make them stay?

• Make participation easy. Offer multiple session times, short options (10-20 minutes), and on-duty access when possible. If it must be off duty, consider compensating time or offering a schedule-friendly option.

• Protect confidentiality. Avoid collecting sensitive information in ways that feel punitive. Separate wellness participation data from performance evaluation. Clarify what is and is not shared with supervisors.

• Track a few outcomes that matter to operations. In addition to voluntary feedback surveys, jails can track sick leave, turnover, injuries, and use of overtime. If you already use staff climate surveys, add a short burnout or stress measure.

• Plan for sustainment. Programs often fade when a champion leaves or overtime spikes. Write down roles (who schedules, who teaches, who mentors), and build in refreshers and back-ups.

A Note for Correctional Officers

Wellness programs are most useful when they feel relevant to the job. If your agency offers training, mentoring, or on-site classes, consider treating them like any other safety tool: try it, practice the parts that work for you, and share feedback about what fits (or does not fit) your post and shift. Short, repeated practice–sometimes just a minute of controlled breathing or a quick reset after a critical incident–can be more realistic than long sessions.

What We Still Do Not Know

This review found only three published intervention studies specific to jail/detention officers, which means the evidence base is thin. In addition, the studies used different designs and outcome measures, and most were conducted in a small number of agencies. As a result, jails should view these findings as promising starting points rather than definitive answers. More evaluations are needed that track outcomes over time, include multiple facilities, and measure operational impacts (injuries, sick leave, turnover) alongside health outcomes.

Bottom Line

Officer wellness is tightly connected to safety and daily operations in local detention facilities. While there is limited published research focused specifically on jails, the studies that exist suggest that practical skills training, peer mentoring, and on-site movement/breathing programs can reduce stress and burnout and strengthen morale. Jails can move forward now by piloting one approach, making participation feasible across shifts, and tracking a small set of outcomes that matter to both staff and leadership (McCraty et al., 2009; Kotejoshyer et al., 2021; Smith et al., 2022).

___________________________

Pamela Valera, PhD, MSW, a faculty member at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Department of Psychiatry. For more information, she can be contacted at pv181@njms.rutgers.edu

Rida Sohail, BA, is affiliated with Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Department of Psychiatry. For more information, she can be contacted at rs1804@sph.rutgers.edu

Taj Amad is affiliated with Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Department of Psychiatry. For more information, she can be contacted at ta446@sph.rutgers.edu

Fabiola Millien-Faustin, BSW, is affiliated with Sacred Heart University School of Social Work. For more information, she can be contacted at millien-faustinf@mail.sacredheart.edu

Corey A. Tolliver, LCSW, MSW, is a PhD student at Sacred Heart University School of Social Work. For more information, he can be contacted at tolliverc@mail.sacredheart.edu

References

Brend, D. M., Herttalampi, M., & Sprang, G. (2025). Correctional officer experiences of moral distress, trauma-informed organizational practices, and structural stigma. Traumatology. https://doi.org/10.1037/trm0000579

Evers, T. J., Ogloff, J. R. P., Trounson, J. S., & Pfeifer, J. E. (2020). Well-being interventions for correctional officers in a prison setting: A review and meta-analysis. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 47(1), 3-21. https://doi.org/10.1177/0093854819869975

Frost, N. A. (2020, April 20). Understanding the impacts of corrections officer suicide. National Institute of Justice. Retrieved from https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/understanding-impacts-corrections-officer-suicide

Kotejoshyer, R., Gilmer, D. O., Namazi, S., Farr, D., Henning, R. A., & Cherniack, M. G. (2021). Impact of a Total Worker Health® mentoring program in a correctional workforce. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(16), 8436. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18168436

McCraty, R., Atkinson, M. D., Lipsenthal, L., & Argüelles, L. (2009). New hope for correctional officers: An innovative program for reducing stress and health risks. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 34(4), 251-272. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10484-009-9087-0

Ricciardelli, R., Carleton, R. N., Gacek, J., & Groll, D. L. (2020). Understanding needs, breaking down barriers: Examining mental health challenges and well-being of correctional staff in Ontario, Canada. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 1036. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01036

Smith, H. P., Ferdik, F., Turner, A. L., & Radcliffe, S. K. (2022). An evaluation of a yoga program designed for correctional administrators and officers. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 61(1), 37-60. https://doi.org/10.1080/10509674.2021.2017385

Trounson, J. S., Pfeifer, J. E., & Critchley, C. R. (2016). Correctional officers and work-related environmental adversity: A cross-occupational comparison. Applied Psychology in Criminal Justice, 12(1), 18-35. Retrieved from https://dev.cjcenter.org/_files/apcj/APCJ%20SPRING%202016-Trounson.pdf_1463495556.pdf

Vera Institute of Justice. (2018). The prison experience for corrections staff. Reimagining Prison Web Report. Retrieved from https://www.vera.org/reimagining-prison-web-report/examining-prisons-today/the-prison-experience-for-corrections-staff