284 1 i Corrections and Prison Practices—Civic ForensicsThe conditions under which correctional work occurs are emotionally and phys-
ically demanding. Symptoms of chronic fatigue, depression, cynicism, burnout, and
the like are non uncommon tor many correctional officers. What is the psycholog-
ical impact of work-related stress for correctional personnel? How do employees
cope with it, and what prevention and intervention programs exist to curb the
excesses of stress? There are several forms of community corrections. House arrest,
electronic monitoring, intensive supervision probation, and work release are just a
few of them. What impact do these initiatives have for communities, particularly in
relation to their perceived (or real) concerns for personal safety and/or household
security? What is the NIMBY effect, and what roles exist for forensic practitioners
to address it? A representative minority of prisoners are mentally retarded. How are
the rehabilitative and retributive philosophies of corrections managed for prisoners
with mentally disabilities? What special services and/or programs exist for mentally
retarded inmates? How are prisoners screened and assessed for mental retardation,
and what role exists for correctional psychologists to assist in the evaluation process"*
A number of societal responses have been proposed to address the problems posed
by convicted sex offenders. Some of these include chemical castration, community
notification, civil commitment, and formalized registration. How, if at all, do these
interventions prevent future victimization? What is the relationship between these
societal responses and recidivism? Do proposals such as these violate the constitu-
tional rights of sex offenders who paid their debt to society? Increasingly, women
correctional officers work in male prisons. How are such officers perceived by then-
male correctional officer counterparts? How do women COs cope with the hos-
tility, sexual harassment, and discrimination they experience on the job? How do
female CX)s cope with the stress of working in male prisons? Inmate sexuality is not
necessarily the same outside the confines of the penal institution. What are the def-
initions of inmate homosexuality? Are all prison homosexuals gay/lesbian outside
the facility as well? What are the roles and functions of nonheterosexuality in prison?
The domain of civil forensics and corrections moves the psychologist into a
more social arena in which to investigate noncriminal behavior, attitudes, beliefs,
and so on pertaining to prisoners, correctional personnel, institutional practices,
and the public's responses to them. As the sections of this chapter disclose, we know
very little about the civil domain of correctional psychology. Future investigators
would do well to engage in research along these and similar lines of inquiry as it
would substantially advance our knowledge of prisoners, correctional workers, and
society's understanding of offender behavior.Psychological Stress and Correctional Work
Introduction
The American Heritage Dictionary defines stress as "a mentally or emotionally
disruptive or disquieting influence" (Berube, 1982, p. 1205). This definition does