An Exploration of Correctional Counselor Workloads in a Midwestern State. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Matz, Adam K.; Lowe, Nathan
• Is Part Of: Prison journal. Volume 100:Number 6(2020)
• Page Start: 769
• Page End: 786
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: correctional counselors -- workload -- prison -- adequacy of time; Prisons -- Periodicals; Prisons -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 365.6
• DOI: 10.1177/0032885520968247
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0032-8855

Abstract

Time studies have been conducted across a variety of occupations. However, no known research has examined the workload of correctional counselors. In this study, the Iowa Department of Corrections, in partnership with the American Probation and Parole Association, performed a workload evaluation of over 100 correctional counselors who participated in a time study. The most common activities concerned inmate requests, classification, assessment, release planning, treatment group work, and administrative tasks. Most concerning, respondents indicated anywhere from 20% to 50% of the activities engaged in were unsatisfactorily completed.