Factors influencing workplace violence risk among correctional health workers: insights from an Australian survey
Aaron W. Cashmore A B I , Devon Indig C B , Stephen E. Hampton D E , Desley G. Hegney F G and Bin B. Jalaludin H BA Division of Population and Public Health, New South Wales Ministry of Health, 73 Miller Street, North Sydney, NSW 2060, Australia.
B School of Public Health and Community Medicine, UNSW Australia, High Street, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia.
C School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Charles Perkins Centre, Johns Hopkins Drive, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia.
D Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network, PO Box 150, Matraville, NSW 2036, Australia.
E School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Locked Bag 1797, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia.
F School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Southern Queensland, West Street, Toowoomba, Qld 4350, Australia.
G School of Nursing, North Terrace Campus, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
H Epidemiology Group, Healthy People and Places Unit, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Locked Bag 7279, Liverpool, NSW 1871, Australia.
I Corresponding author. Email: acash@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
Australian Journal of Primary Health 22(5) 461-465 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY15071
Submitted: 12 May 2015 Accepted: 18 August 2015 Published: 12 October 2015
Abstract
Little is known about the environmental and organisational determinants of workplace violence in correctional health settings. This paper describes the views of health professionals working in these settings on the factors influencing workplace violence risk. All employees of a large correctional health service in New South Wales, Australia, were invited to complete an online survey. The survey included an open-ended question seeking the views of participants about the factors influencing workplace violence in correctional health settings. Responses to this question were analysed using qualitative thematic analysis. Participants identified several factors that they felt reduced the risk of violence in their workplace, including: appropriate workplace health and safety policies and procedures; professionalism among health staff; the presence of prison guards and the quality of security provided; and physical barriers within clinics. Conversely, participants perceived workplace violence risk to be increased by: low health staff-to-patient and correctional officer-to-patient ratios; high workloads; insufficient or underperforming security staff; and poor management of violence, especially horizontal violence. The views of these participants should inform efforts to prevent workplace violence among correctional health professionals.
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