The chronic stress of corrections work
Corrections officers live with the potential for crisis around every corner. Unlike other first responders who may have periods of downtime in their roles, corrections officers are “in the fire” at all times.
Imagine going to work every day in a harsh, uncomfortable environment that requires a constant state of hypervigilance to maintain the safety of not only those you’re supervising, but also your peers and yourself. For corrections officers, this is daily life—and it means living with the potential for crisis around every corner.
A challenging role
Unlike other first responders such as firefighters and police officers who may have periods of downtime in their roles, corrections officers are “in the fire” at all times, according to Melissa Sikorsky, MSW, LCSW, senior social worker with Penn Medicine Princeton House Behavioral Health’s First Responder Treatment Services. Being exposed to ongoing violence and chaos can mean normalizing, holding in, or burying trauma, which impacts both physical and mental health.
“It’s truly hard to understand the gravity of the experience unless you’ve worked in that setting,” said Sikorsky, who previously held a four-year social work role in a prison.
“There’s no switch that corrections officers can turn off when they leave,” she added. “That level of chronic stress can lead to issues like anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, self-destructive behaviors, and PTSD.”
“For me, coming home to the role of father and husband was difficult because of all of the trauma and chaos inside me,” explained Ken Burkert, a retired corrections officer and now senior outreach coordinator and peer recovery specialist with First Responder Treatment Services. “I wanted to keep everything from my family, so I had to continuously stay busy.”
Burkert and Sikorsky note that mandatory overtime is very common for corrections officers, prolonging stress and causing them to miss family events and personal plans.
“It’s almost like correction officers become institutionalized as well,” said Sikorsky. “And when additional problems develop at home, it can be a recipe for disaster. It’s often challenging for them to deal with issues at home in a healthy way without support.”
Peer support at Princeton House
The First Responder Treatment Services team offers intensive inpatient treatment designed around the unique needs of corrections officers and other first responders in a supportive, safe setting with those facing similar challenges. The length of stay is typically seven to 10 days based on individual needs, with the goal of stabilizing patients and connecting them to the most appropriate next level of care. As an integral component, Peer Support Specialists collaborate with the clinical team to destigmatize behavioral health services, build rapport with patients, share their own stories, and create a safe passage to customized treatment.
“I understand what corrections officers are going through, because I’ve lived it and I speak their language,” said Burkert. “In validating the experiences of first responders, our team can help them calm the storm within and navigate effective treatment. This type of therapy helped me, and it’s an honor to now make a difference for others who are struggling.”