As with any workplace, correctional institutions must provide a safe and healthy working environment for their staff, including correctional officers, healthcare providers, and administrative personnel. However, working in a correctional facility can present unique occupational health and safety challenges due to the nature of the work and the populations served. Implementing effective occupational health and safety programs can help prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities in correctional institutions. This article will explore the importance of implementing corporate occupational health and safety programs in correctional institutions, the unique challenges of working in a correctional facility, and strategies for addressing these challenges.
How to Implement Corporate Programs in Correctional Institutions
Implementing a corporate health and wellness program is difficult in many industries. Similarly to other industries, corrections face difficulties with recruiting and retention, both of which are crucial to the success of a corporate program. Low retention and reduced hiring pools cause corrections staff to work long hours, often leading to burnout and reduced physical and mental health.
Developing an employee health and wellness program can help corrections officers remain in the best physical condition possible. These health solutions are popular in many industries and corporations. Many state-run correctional facilities also use them. Let’s examine a few occupational health trends that can positively impact operations.
Onsite Clinics
Onsite health clinics can provide convenient, immediate care for employees as injuries and illnesses, whether work-related or not, arise. An internal “Minute Clinic” offers employees an efficient way to receive basic medical care. Additionally, telemedicine is an up-and-coming option that has been shown to reduce the need for follow-up visits, reducing healthcare costs for employers.
Instituting onsite clinics, like a Minute Clinic, for employees in a correctional facility can have numerous benefits for both employees and the institution as a whole. Some potential benefits include reduced absenteeism, cost savings, improved employee health outcomes, and improved employee morale.
Injury Prevention
Injury prevention is about creating a safe workplace where injuries and illnesses are less likely to occur. The Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index 2021 reports that severe and nonfatal workplace injuries cost U.S. businesses more than $1 billion every week. With that in mind, this proactive care is a cost-effective alternative to reactive care and workers’ compensation. While there is no way to eliminate all work-related injuries, particularly in dangerous and labor-intensive occupations, employers can take steps to reduce the likelihood of injury.
One way to prevent injury is through ergonomics. Ergonomics is the study of efficiency in a workspace. Injury Preventions Specialists are ergonomics experts that look at the way tasks are performed and make assessments for improving operations. Ergonomic issues often occur when workers are pushing, pulling, or lifting items. Fixing these issues can reduce work-related injuries by 25%. These ergonomic solutions could be as simple as changing how someone grabs inventory off a shelf or demonstrating how to sit or walk for long periods properly.
Employee Wellness Programs
An employee wellness program is a workplace initiative designed to support the health and well-being of employees. These programs are designed to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors and support employees to help them improve their overall health and well-being. A customized health and wellness program benefits corrections facilities, including improved staff health, increased job satisfaction and enhanced safety. Employee wellness programs can take many different forms and may include various components such as:
- Health assessments, like access to primary care providers, heart health screenings, and physicals
- Access to lab testing and prescriptions
- Onsite chiropractic care
- Mental health guidance and education
- Weight loss and smoking cessation programs
- Fitness programs and incentives
- Healthy eating incentives
- Vaccination clinics
These programs can also contribute to a positive workplace culture that values the health and well-being of employees.
Planning and Budgeting For Corporate Programs
Implementing health and wellness programs in correctional institutions can have a positive impact on the physical and mental health of inmates and staff, as well as improve institutional safety and security. However, implementing these programs requires careful budgeting to ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and effectively. Despite the added short-term expense, this is the perfect time to introduce health and safety measures because the COVID-19 line item is being removed from many budgets. Consider reallocating this money to health and wellness programs. Here are some steps to consider when budgeting for health and wellness programs in a correctional institution:
Conduct a Needs Assessment
Before implementing any health and wellness programs, it’s important to understand the specific needs of the institution and its population. This can be done through surveys, focus groups, or interviews with corrections staff. Based on the needs assessment, prioritize the most pressing health and wellness issues to address.
Determine Available Resources
Identify the funding and staff resources available to support health and wellness programs. This could include grant funding, donations, or reallocation of existing resources. Consider the costs of program development, staff training, and program implementation. It is important to remember that preventative measures are often less expensive than reactive care. For example, one study estimates that every dollar spent on injury prevention yields a return of at least $2.
Develop a Budget
Based on the needs assessment and available resources, develop a detailed budget that outlines the costs associated with each program component. Include costs for staffing, materials, supplies, and any necessary training or certification.
Prioritize Programs
Consider the costs and benefits of each program and prioritize based on the available budget. Focus on programs that will have the most significant impact on the health and wellness of current staff members.
Monitor and Adjust
Continuously monitor the effectiveness of health and wellness programs and adjust the budget as needed. This can include scaling back programs that are not effective or reallocating resources to areas of greater need.
By following these steps, correctional institutions can develop a realistic and effective budget for health and wellness programs to benefit correctional staff. An environment that promotes safety and health is integral to the success of prison operations.
How Can We Help?
Work Health Solutions offers comprehensive healthcare solutions for your medical needs. Our qualified team treats patients and employers alike and always provides top-quality service. We back our quality service with years of experience working with academic and research institutions, corporate healthcare, Fortune 25 companies, small governments, and local businesses. Reach out today with any questions about how we can assist you!
