ABSTRACT
This paper provides a detailed summary and discussion of the concept of stress and how it relates to the health, wellbeing, and performance of corrections officers. In line with these objectives, we focus on three areas: (1) providing a more detailed definition of the concept of stress; (2) a discussion of the ways that increased exposure to stress may impact corrections officers' physical and mental health; and (3) a summary of prevention and intervention strategies that are relevant for corrections officers and have shown promise in dampening the consequences of increased stress exposure. More in-depth knowledge of the concept of stress and the underlying processes that link stress to negative outcomes will provide policy makers and corrections departments with an understanding of the characteristics of prevention and intervention strategies that are expected to be most effective in limiting the consequences of stress.
ABSTRACT
Este estudo investigou os padrões de uso de álcool e outras drogas entre agentes penitenciários de um estado do Nordeste brasileiro, o papel que exerce na vida desses trabalhadores e os possíveis problemas associados a essa prática. Participaram da coleta de dados 403 agentes penitenciários, que responderam ao Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) e a questionário sociodemográfico. Os resultados apontam para o consumo abusivo/dependente em álcool, Cannabis, cocaína, anfetaminas, inalantes e hipnóticos. Apresentam-se como determinantes desse quadro o tipo de unidade prisional, ter outra ocupação na área de segurança, ter mais de 10 anos de profissão e trabalhar em turnos dobrados. Esses resultados sugerem a necessidade de atentar para o processo de trabalho e sua relação com a saúde mental dos profissionais do sistema prisional, e de desenvolver políticas e programas específicos para essa categoria profissional, no intuito de minimizar os efeitos danosos do trabalho no cárcere.
In this study, we investigated the patterns of use of alcohol and other drugs among corrections officers in a northeastern Brazilian state, and the role this plays in the lives of workers, as well as the potential problems associated with the practice. In total, 403 corrections officers participated in the data collection, responding to the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) and a demographic questionnaire. The results point to the abuse of /dependency on alcohol, Cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines, inhalants, and hypnotics. The determinants of this dynamic seem to be the type of prison unit, having another job in the security field, having over 10 years in the field, and working double shifts. These results suggest the need for attention to the work process and its relation to the mental health of prison staff, and the need to develop specific policies and programs for this profession, in order to minimize the harmful effects of working at a prison.
Se investigaron los padrones de uso de alcohol y de otras drogas entre guardias penitenciarios de un estado del nordeste brasileño, el papel que ejerce en sus vidas y los posibles problemas resultantes de esa práctica. Participaron de la recopilación de datos 403 guardias, que respondieron al Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) y al cuestionario socio-demográfico. Los resultados apuntan indican el consumo desmedido/dependiente de alcohol, Cannabis, cocaína, anfetaminas, inhalantes e hipnóticos. Los determinantes de ese cuadro son el tipo de unidad carcelario, el tener otra ocupación en el área de seguridad, el tener más de 10 años de profesión y trabajar en turnos doblados. Esos resultados sugieren la necesidad de atender el problema del proceso de trabajo y su relación con la salud mental de los guardias, y de desarrollar políticas y programas específicos destinados a ellos, con vistas a minimizar los efectos perjudiciales de su trabajo.
