New study tackles stress prison officers grapple with

Prison officers attached to facilities across the country are grappling with high levels of stress and trauma, driven by dangerous working conditions, persistent fear, and an expectation of higher salaries.

These findings were revealed during a researched conducted by the University of Guyana.

Dr Melissa Ifill, Senior Lecturer at the University of Guyana, revealed that research conducted among officers highlighted the profound impact of these challenges on their mental health.

She was at the time speaking at the launch of accredited mental health and strategic leadership courses for correctional officers on Wednesday.

“Officers face long stretches without relief, sometimes two weeks at a time, often living far from their families, in a generally dangerous environment.

Many are underpaid for the risks they take daily, and the fear of violent inmates or witnessing attacks on colleagues compounds the stress,” Dr. Ifill said.

She added that officers are enduring hardships similar to those faced by inmates, including challenging living and working conditions.

“This lack of adequate pay, training, and support leaves them feeling unseen, undervalued, and vulnerable,” she noted.

The newly-launched mental health course aims to equip officers with strategies for self-care, identify triggers of mental health challenges, and provide avenues to flag concerns to the relevant personnel, addressing both officer and inmate welfare.

“Both officers and inmates are victims of systemic failures,” Dr. Ifill emphasised, underscoring the urgent need for reforms that prioritize safety, support and mental well-being inside Guyana’s prisons.