Open this publication in new window or tab >>2011 (English)In: European Journal of Criminology, ISSN 1477-3708, E-ISSN 1741-2609, Vol. 8, no 6, p. 469-483Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]
This article explores emotional labour strategies among Swedish prison officers, and shows how these affect their well-being. Case studies of five Swedish prisons and a national survey of prison officers are used. Analysis indicates that prison officers perform complex forms of emotional labour. Owing to differences in subcultures and informal norms, the strategies officers use in managing their displays of emotion vary between wings and roles. Different strategies may cause different kinds of emotional strain. So-called ‘surface acting’ may lead to cynicism and alienation, whereas ‘deep acting’ may lead to stress and exhaustion. Finally, the lack of opportunities for recovery is discussed.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
London: Sage Publications, 2011
Keywords
prison officer, emotional labour, emotional strain
National Category
Social Work
Research subject
Social Work
Identifiers
urn:nbn:se:oru:diva-20500 (URN)10.1177/1477370811413806 (DOI)000297310700004 ()2-s2.0-81755163940 (Scopus ID)
2011-12-072011-12-072017-12-08Bibliographically approved