An evaluation of a yoga program designed for correctional administrators and officers

Abstract

Administrators and officers of the correctional system are charged with numerous professional responsibilities designed to reinforce institutional order and security. Exposure to dangerous working conditions can negatively impact their physical and mental health. To date, a large body of research has examined interventions designed to improve inmate physical and mental well-being, with a dearth of studies on correctional staff. To address this gap, the current study examines the impact of a comprehensive yoga program with an educational component for correctional staff. A mixed methodological design was used to assess responses from officers and administrators (N = 47) working in a detention center located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Findings revealed that participants universally endorsed the yoga program, with qualitative results indicating a reduction in stress, anxiety levels, and bodily discomfort. Participants found that engagement in a yoga program led to increased consideration of other areas of potential health deficits, particularly diet and lifestyle habits. This is the first study of a yoga program occurring in a detention center, with staff and administrators supporting the impact of a short-term health intervention. These results are discussed with reference to policies targeted at improving correctional staff health and wellness.