Professionalism of Prison and Probation Staff in Correctional

Professionalism of Prison and Probation Staff in Correctional Work People Working With People Working in the People Business The Art of Creating Professionalism on the Operational Level Kriminalomsorgens sentrale forvaltning

Just to clarify: • Resilience The ability to bounce or spring back into shape after being stretched, bent or compressed Kriminalomsorgens sentrale forvaltning

More clarification; • Resilient professionals Handle stress well, are flexible, able to bounce back after stressful events Kriminalomsorgens sentrale forvaltning

The Working Environment Act • Secure a working environment that provides a basis for a healthy and meaningful working situation, that affords full safetay from harmful psysical and mental influences Kriminalomsorgens sentrale forvaltning

Internal Systems and Provisions KIKS – QA (Quality Assurance) Quality Management System Kriminalomsorgens sentrale forvaltning

Some very recent numbers • First half 2014 28 cases of violence against employees – last year 48 • No reliable data on psychological violence • No reliable data on harassment • No reliable data on non systemic mental stress factors on correctional duty Kriminalomsorgens sentrale forvaltning

Resiliency skills • Building coping resources by teaching flexibilty in a non flexible system • Building coping resources by creating a supporting environment • Building coping resources by empowering the individual • Building coping resources by training for the unexpected Kriminalomsorgens sentrale forvaltning

Stress vs burnout • Stress • Characterized by overengagement Emotions are overreactive Produces urgency and hyperactivity Loss of energy Leads to anxiety disorders Primary damage is physical May kill you prematurely • • Burnout • Characterized by disengagement Emotions are blunted Produces helplessness and hopelessness Loss of motivation, ideals, and hope Leads to detachment and depression Primary damage is emotional May make life seem not worth living • • • Source: Stress and Burnout in Ministry Kriminalomsorgens sentrale forvaltning

Work-related causes of burnout • Feeling like you have little or no control over your work • Lack of recognition or rewards for good work • Unclear or overly demanding job expectations • Doing work that’s monotonous or unchallenging • Working in a chaotic or high-pressure environment Kriminalomsorgens sentrale forvaltning

Lifestyle causes of burnout • Working too much, without enough time for relaxing and socializing • Being expected to be too many things to too many people • Taking on too many responsibilities, without enough help from others • Not getting enough sleep • Lack of close, supportive relationships Kriminalomsorgens sentrale forvaltning

Personality traits which may contribute to burnout • Perfectionistic tendencies; nothing is ever good enough • Pessimistic view of yourself and the world • The need to be in control; reluctance to delegate to others • High-achieving, Type A personality Kriminalomsorgens sentrale forvaltning

Tool Box - Prevention • Start the day in a good way • Adopt healthy eating, exrcising and sleeping habits • Set boundaries • Disconnect • Nourish your creative side • Learn how to manage stress • Enhance professionalism • Fun and games • Defusing and debriefing Kriminalomsorgens sentrale forvaltning

Tool box - Recovery • Support • IA – An agreement on Inclusive Working Life • Change of Scenery • Reevaluation • Other tasks – new |duty • Time off • Peer support • Fun Kriminalomsorgens sentrale forvaltning

• Local rules and regulations pertaining to sick leave, violence and threats, etc • Emplyees know what to expect and cannot opt out

• No systematic approach – tailor made • Learning by doing • Provide every manager the necessary tools to support their staff Kriminalomsorgens sentrale forvaltning