Will You Make It to 60? Many COs Don’t
It is hard to nail down the exact life expectancy for a correctional officer. There are few studies done on the subject that are large enough or recent enough for the results to be relevant today, but we do have some indications of what correctional officers are facing in terms of challenges to their life expectancy, and those indications are grim.
For example, in one study done among Florida correctional officers from 2000 through 2009, it was found that the average age of death was 62.4 years old, 12 years lower than that of the general population.
Why are correctional officers dying at younger ages compared to their peers? Some likely contributing factors include:
· Age of retirement: The age of retirement is 60 for correctional officers in many states, an age that many believe to be far too old to be safe for either the officer or inmates. Some say that if the retirement age were 55 or if careers were limited to 20 years (In Massachusetts, you can retire after 20, regardless of age ) it would help correctional officers to move on more healthfully after service.
· Trauma and violence on the job: It is expected that correctional officers will be attacked at least once during their career — it’s not usually a matter of “if” but “when.” Living in a constant state of stress and anxiety as a result of constantly remaining prepared for attack as well as the risk of being killed or seriously injured by an inmate certainly impacts the life span of a CO.
· High risk of suicide: Some statistics state that suicide rates among correctional officers are up to 39 percent higher than those of the general public. As a result of untreated trauma, co-occurring mental health issues, and other stresses related to the job, suicide is far too often the cause of death among COs.
· Substance use disorders: Many correctional officers turn to alcohol and drugs as a means of escape when dealing with stressors on the job. As a result, substance use and abuse can lead to a deadly addiction, fatal choices made under the influence, and/or overdose.
· Difficulty in retirement: Perhaps due to mismanaged stress during a career spent as a correctional officer, untreated trauma and/or mental health issues, or other unhealthy lifestyle choices, correctional officers, like many first responders, do not fare well in retirement.
Your First Positive Change
Substance use disorders contribute to lower life expectancy of correctional officers, so if drug and alcohol use is part of your life and gotten out of control, your first step to improving your longevity is to get the treatment you need to get sober. At American Addiction Centers, our First Responder Lifeline Program has been designed specifically for correctional officers and other first responders, providing:
· Assessment and evaluation to diagnose co-occurring trauma disorders and other mental health issues
· Treatment that is focused on first responders
· Treatment plans that are unique to the needs of each individual
· A range of therapeutic interventions, including family therapy and trauma-focused therapies as needed
· Aftercare support and alumni groups
Take the first step toward a healthier life in recovery by calling American Addiction Centers at (844) 646–4COS(267) today.
