Correctional Staff Survey, Findings, & Recommendations

A comprehensive overview of Hawaii correctional staff job satisfaction, workplace culture, staff health, facility conditions, and interactions with incarcerated individuals completed by the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission.

Report to Legislature from HAWAII CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM OVERSIGHT COMMISSION, January, 2025 (excerpt) 

Executive Summary

The Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission (HCSOC) conducted a comprehensive survey to evaluate job satisfaction, workplace culture, staff health, and facility conditions across Hawaii’s correctional facilities. This survey, which gathered responses from over 800 correctional staff, provides a critical assessment of systemic issues impacting staff well-being and facility operations. Key findings revealed significant concerns around leadership support, communication, inadequate resources, and high levels of staff stress and health challenges.

Key Findings: 

Leadership and Communication:

Staff expressed dissatisfaction with leadership’s engagement and transparency. A lack of inclusion in decision-making and perceived disconnect between central leadership ("Downtown") and facility operations contributed to low morale and trust issues. 

Workplace Conditions:

Many staff cited unsustainable work conditions marked by mandatory overtime, insufficient staff, and inadequate wellness resources. The report noted that such conditions contribute to physical and mental health struggles, including high rates of PTSD, anxiety, and depression. 

Health and Wellness:

Approximately 60% of staff reported developing serious health conditions due to job stress, with notable impacts on family life and mental well-being. Over 60% of staff cited inadequate wellness support, and 75% felt emotionally drained. 

Interactions with Incarcerated Individuals:

Despite challenging conditions, most staff expressed a commitment to respectful and supportive interactions with those in custody. However, limited resources hindered efforts to foster rehabilitation and prepare individuals for reintegration. 

Differentiation Between Jail and Prison Staff:

Jail staff reported more severe work and health challenges than their prison counterparts, with higher incidences of turnover, mandatory overtime, and mental health issues. Additionally, the HCSOC conducted talk story sessions at each facility by meeting with various groups of staff members to share the survey results and request feedback for recommendations. All recommendations in this report came directly from staff as a result of the talk story sessions. Below are key recommendations.

Key Recommendations:

The HCSOC proposed systemic reforms to improve staff recruitment, retention, and overall workplace conditions.

Recommendations included:

1. Enhanced Training and Support: Providing standardized, consistent training, especially in crisis intervention and mental health care, for both new hires and leadership.

2. Improved Communication and Inclusion: Establishing regular briefings and direct engagement from central leadership to build trust and transparency.

3. Increased Compensation and Benefits: Adjusting pay scales, adding bonuses, and increasing uniform allowances to reflect job demands and encourage retention.

4. Focused Staff Wellness Initiatives: Expanding mental health resources, reducing mandatory overtime, and promoting work-life balance to support long-term staff health and morale.

This report underscores the urgent need for reform within Hawaii’s correctional facilities. The Commission urges stakeholders to prioritize these recommendations to build a more sustainable, safe, and supportive environment for correctional staff and the incarcerated population.

read … Full Report

LINK: Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission | About Us

CB: Report: Hawai‘i Prison Guards Face 'Unsustainable' Working Conditions - Honolulu Civil Beat