Impacts of Professionalization and Wellbeing Policies on Scottish Prison Workers.

Andrew Fletcher,Linda Mckie,Jackie Tombs,Isobel Macpherson

doi:10.3389/fsoc.2021.757583

Abstract

Prison workers occupy a niche role. Balancing the care and welfare of prisoners while simultaneously restricting their freedoms is a stressful job, laced with danger, that occurs entirely within the bounded context of the prison. Here, wellbeing and professionalism are closely linked and articulated through a range of policies. This article explores the perceptions and experiences of staff in relation to a range of wellbeing and training policies in the Scottish Prison Service (SPS). We interviewed 10 SPS employees, some working directly with prisoners and others in more centralised policy development and support roles. Thematic analysis found a high degree of contentment with such policies but highlighted tensions between their implementation and specific challenges of the prison context. Emerging themes included: supporting wellbeing within the complex dynamic of the prison world; addressing inherent tensions borne out of the underlying threat of violence; and the impact of professionalization. We conclude that while the prison service aspires to offer employees wellbeing and professionalization opportunities similar to those in other sectors, there is a need for such policies to more clearly reflect the unique context of prison work. This might involve co-design of policies and more careful consideration of the pressures, tensions and idiosyncrasies of that rarefied environment.

Highlights

Prison workers’ experiences receive little attention in mainstream work and employment literature, the roles of probation officers and ex-offenders, and their interactions with wider society have had some critical examination (Gale 2012; Kirton and Guillaume 2019)
There’s a reason why staff do things in certain ways, because the world in here is different to the world out there and they might not see that. (Dennis). These findings highlight some of the complexities surrounding the ‘whole prison approach’, in developing and implementing wellbeing policies that are inextricably linked with those on safety and professionalization
This interwovenness generates similar challenges and dilemmas to those faced by street-level bureaucrats, except that the complex and mostly self-contained prison environment can magnify such problems

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Prison workers’ experiences receive little attention in mainstream work and employment literature, the roles of probation officers and ex-offenders, and their interactions with wider society have had some critical examination (Gale 2012; Kirton and Guillaume 2019). To be able to follow these ideals, staff require knowledge and understanding of their role, the skills and confidence to execute the role, and organisational support This is provided through training, appraisal and a range of wellbeing initiatives— changing professional expectations, an evolving prison environment, and increasingly multifaceted job roles mean that “professionalization” can be something of a moveable feast. That new prison officers are expected to work until age 68, the need to understand the realities of career development and to enact an effective professionalization agenda are even more pressing This would be reflected in a more inclusive approach to policy development and design, as noted by one front line prison worker: Perhaps people should come and speak to the staff prior to going and making their policies and agreements. There’s a reason why staff do things in certain ways, because the world in here is different to the world out there and they might not see that. (Dennis)

DISCUSSION

Findings

ETHICS STATEMENT