SYTUACJE TRUDNE I TRAUMATYCZNE W PRACY FUNKCJONARIUSZA WIĘZIENNICTWA
DIFFICULT AND TRAUMATIC SITUATIONS IN THE WORK OF A PRISON SERVICE OFFICER

Summary/Abstract: A difficult situation is defined differently by authors dealing with this issue. Above all, it is indicated that it consists of circumstances that exceed a person's coping abilities and also evoke unwanted emotions such as anger, fear or rage. Perceiving a situation as difficult is an individual matter, as it depends on the experience and resources of the person participating in given circumstances. Working in the prison service is described as a burdensome experience, requiring high social and emotional qualifications, while being carried out under the difficult conditions of isolation. Prison Service officers work under strictly defined rules, and the link between work, rules and the necessity of complying with regulations affects a high sense of responsibility for the duties performed. The group of convicts and pre-trial detainees experiences situational crisis, often exhibits psychological difficulties, and a high level of demoralisation, making the working environment of a prison officer highly burdensome. Researchers indicate that a person in such circumstances activates coping strategies that help overcome the circumstance, though the quality and effectiveness of these strategies depend on the individual's awareness and resources. For this reason, it is important to expand officers' coping skills by developing their self-awareness and improving working conditions.

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