Tackling the high cost of workplace adversity - development and implementation of targeted, preventative training programs for officers

Correctional Officers face a range of unique workplace difficulties that can impact on their mental health and workplace productivity. Research has shown that working within an adverse environment can impact negatively on employee mental wellbeing and can inflate organizational costs due to increased absenteeism, sick leave and high employee turnover rates. Although past research has demonstrated the impact of the work environment on correctional officers, little research has explored how to best address this issue in a pro-active manner. This paper discusses our progress as a research group in relation to developing an evidence-based, industry-specific, psychological resilience training program aimed at facilitating mental wellbeing. It is hoped that these findings may help guide the development of a targeted, preventative, training program for officers. The potential benefits of the implementation of such a program on individual, organizational and industry levels will be discussed