Correctional Officer Rating of Prisoner Adjustment on Entry to Prison

Abstract

The aim of this longitudinal research was to assess and monitor adjustment (operationalised in terms of anxiety) of 60 prisoners as they entered prison and one month later. Results confirmed very high levels of anxiety on admission, which reduced after one month, but still remained significantly higher than adult population norms. Given that Correctional Officers (COs) play an integral role in identifying ‘at risk’ prisoners, 44 officers were recruited to rate prisoners’ adjustment, on entry to prison and one month later. Results showed that COs were good at assessing prisoner distress on entry to prison but heuristic errors occurred in predicting later adjustment, and in reassessment at one month. Prisoners’ anxiety remained high, and therefore the ability to rate prisoner adjustment was just as important one month later. The study underscores the importance of diligent observation during at least the first month of imprisonment, and the need for CO training to achieve this.