The Effect of Prison Security Level on Job Satisfaction and Job Burnout among Prison Staff in the USA: An Assessmenta

This study examines the effect of prison security level on job satisfaction and job burnout among prison employees. It also examines the effect of job satisfaction, as an independent variable, on job burnout. The data for this study were collected from all staff working in three prisons in the State of Indiana, USA - one maximum security prison (n = 176) and two medium security prisons (n = 146, and n = 158). The findings from this study showed that there was no difference in job satisfaction among prison employees who work in the maximum security prison compared to those who work in medium security prison. Additionally, this study showed that prison security level had a partial effect on job burnout among prison employees. Prison employees who work in medium level security reported having more control over work-related activities compared to those who work in maximum security prison. Prison security level did not have any significant effects on emotional exhaustion and personal accomplishment. Job satisfaction, on the other hand, was inversely related to job burnout. This study showed that an increase in job satisfaction is manifested with a decrease in job burnout.