Correctional officers, responsible for managing inmates and convicts in detention centers or prisons, face high levels of stress due to a negative working environment.
SEOUL, Oct. 9 (Korea Bizwire) – An increasing number of prison officers are at risk of addiction to video games and alcohol, as well as post-traumatic stress syndrome.
Correctional officers, responsible for managing inmates and convicts in detention centers or prisons, face high levels of stress due to a negative working environment.
According to survey data on the mental health of correctional officers received by Kwon Chil-seung, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party, from the Ministry of Justice, the percentage of those classified as being part of a mental health risk group increased in all categories last year, except for a sense of incompetence (which declined by 0.2 percentage points to 3.4 percent), compared to two years ago.
During this period, the percentage of those at risk of video game addiction increased by 0.4 percentage points to 5.7 percent. Additionally, those at risk of alcohol addiction, aggression, and depression increased by 0.8 percentage points, 0.7 percentage points, and 1 percentage point, respectively, to 4.9 percent, 3.9 percent, and 3.9 percent.
The percentage of those at risk of post-traumatic stress syndrome, anxiety, and dehumanization also increased by 1.6 percentage points, 0.8 percentage points, and 0.3 percentage points, respectively, reaching 3.6 percent, 4.2 percent, and 2.5 percent.
Compared to the 2018 survey results, the percentage of those at risk of video game and alcohol addiction increased by 4.5 percentage points and 2.8 percentage points, respectively.
Among all of the respondents, 4.8 percent said they had considered attempting suicide, with 1.9 percent reporting suicide attempts.
These figures are 3.7 and 4.8 times higher than those for the general public, indicating an urgent need for active intervention in managing the mental health of correctional officers.
In the four years from 2019 to August 2023, about 20 cases have been reported where correctional officers committed self-harm or suicide.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
