Development and Implementation of a Total Worker Health^® Mentoring Program in a Correctional Workforce

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Public Health Interventions
• Correctional Officer Well-being

Background:

• Correctional officers (COs) face significant occupational stressors leading to early health declines.
• Existing interventions to prevent early health deterioration in COs are limited.
• The need for proactive health support for newly hired COs is critical.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development, implementation, and evaluation of a one-year peer health mentoring program (HMP).
• To address the safety, health, and well-being of newly hired COs using Total Worker Health® principles.
• To provide emotional and tangible support, including peer coaching, to prevent early health decline.

Main Methods:

• Utilized participatory action research for program design and adaptation.
• Conducted focus groups with stakeholders for participatory design.
• Adapted existing mentoring materials and developed recruitment/assignment criteria.
• Established a mentor oversight committee with union, management, and research representation.

Main Results:

• Employee engagement in program design and implementation was effective.
• Staff successfully implemented and adapted the program.
• Sustained high support for the HMP throughout the evaluation period.

Conclusions:

• A peer health mentoring program, guided by Total Worker Health® principles, can be effectively developed and implemented for new correctional officers.
• Participatory design involving correctional employees enhances program efficacy and staff buy-in.
• The HMP demonstrates potential for preventing early health declines in this high-stress occupation.