While public attention often centers on reform and rehabilitation, an equally urgent concern is the wellness of the correctional officers and health care professionals who make those goals possible. They endure intense stress, long shifts, and repeated exposure to trauma—conditions that contribute to burnout, turnover, and reliance on temporary staff. Yet many correctional agencies still lack coordinated wellness strategies, weakening the stability of the workforce. This session responds directly to that gap by bringing together experts who have developed successful wellness programs in jails and prisons. Presenters will share evidence-based models and practical tools that strengthen resilience, improve retention, and reduce risk. Through real-world examples, participants will explore how targeted staff wellness interventions can improve outcomes for personnel and those in custody. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies to enhance or build effective wellness programming in their own facilities.

Educational Objectives

• Identify two factors that strengthen relationships between health care and custody staff
• Discuss how to support frontline staff who provide care
• Design ways to sustain working partnerships during periods of high risk and high stress