Correctional Officers With More Service Time Are More Likely to Experience Persistent Mental Health Problems

Correctional officers (COs) are known to have differentially high prevalence rates of mental health problems, but little is known about persistent mental health problems among COs. Using a longitudinal sample of COs from the Minnesota Department of Corrections (MnDOC) ( n = 343), the current study examines the probability of persistent clinically severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety across levels of service time. The stability of clinically severe PTSD was moderated by service time. The probability of clinically severe depression increased across levels of service time for COs with a history of depression. Finally, the probability of clinically severe anxiety was not statistically different, regardless of anxiety history, after approximately 20 years of service time. Results indicate that the association of service time and persistent mental health problems is unique to each mental health outcome. Institutions should prioritize specific mental health interventions across the range of CO service time.