An Overview of Correctional Facility Risks and Hazards

​The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) maintains comprehensive information regarding the safety of correctional workers. A correctional worker is a person responsible for the care of incarcerated or detained individuals, as well as the maintenance and operation of the facility. If facility leaders do not establish and maintain proper safety standards, correctional workers may be impacted by higher rates of injuries and illnesses compared to Americans working in other industries.

To start, facility leaders must appreciate the fact that correctional officers fill many unique roles and, therefore, require different security measures. In addition to the approximately 363,250 traditional correctional facility officers in America, the CDC maintains safety information for correctional facility healthcare providers, drug treatment specialists, vocational instructors, and case managers. Security measures should also account for administrative, maintenance, and food service personnel.

Correctional officers and other employees work together to supervise and treat incarcerated and detained individuals. They must frequently enforce facility standards and regulations, which can place the officers at increased risk for certain encounters. A few potential workplace hazards include assaults and instances of violence, sharp injuries, exposure to illicit drugs and infectious diseases, and respiratory exposures.

Correctional facilities also face a range of more common challenges, such as slips, trips, and falls, which may be more common when responding to emergencies. Furthermore, correctional facility officers typically maintain irregular and long hours, as well as unusual shifts. This type of environment not only yields a high rate of injuries and illnesses but also an increased prevalence of stress, burnout, and similar mental health-related conditions.

Burnout is a particularly challenging issue among correctional facility officers. One National Institute of Health study found that nearly 54 percent of jail officers qualify for post-traumatic stress disorder and that the bulk of these cases can be predicted based on the symptoms of burnout. Symptoms of burnout range from fatigue to an inability to focus at work, which can be dangerous for correctional facility workers. Organizational leaders can minimize instances of burnout through the integration of data-driven wellness policies and increased training opportunities.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) administers a range of programs and initiatives aimed at mitigating risks and preventing harm in correctional facilities across the United States. NIOSH researchers strive to develop and implement safe workplace practices, identify the most prevalent risks, and influence effective policy change.

NIOSH has developed numerous programs with these goals in mind. The Emergency Preparedness and Response Program, for instance, is dedicated to preserving the health and safety of all public safety workers, including correctional officers. The NIOSH Public Safety Program, meanwhile, supports research designed to end work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths in the public safety sector.

NIOSH established the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Publish Safety Sector Council to further improve public safety worker health and wellness. NORA comprises several individuals and organizations dedicated to information sharing and innovative partnerships. NIOSH also operates the Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Program, which has been specifically created to protect correctional workers from work-related illnesses. HHE identifies pressing health hazards and seeks ways to reduce or eliminate hazards.

These are only a few of the NIOSH resources that exist to protect correctional facility workers from workplace hazards. The organization also maintains NIOSH Needlesticks Workplace Solutions, NIOSH Disinfectants Workplace Solutions, and the NIOSH Fact Sheet, which provides insight into protecting correctional staff from methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

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