During this series of participatory / collaborative research-to-practice (r2p) symposia in 2025-2027, we will disseminate evidence-informed practices and methods for effective implementation in correctional settings.

We aim to address the significant health challenges that may lead to fatal and non-fatal injuries associated with violence and other critical incidents; trauma, and stress that disproportionately impact a vital public safety work sector: prison and jail staff – including corrections officers, healthcare providers, social workers, case managers, probation and parole officers, chaplains, educators and more.

Each symposium will build on existing knowledge and best practices, enhancing the effectiveness of resources to promote health and advance interventions within correctional workplaces. Iterative capacity building relies on preparatory materials and consultation prior to each symposium.

A national community of corrections health professionals, organizations, unions, and researchers will convene at these one-day events.

Who should attend? 

Representatives from prison and jail systems.

Activities will include: 

1. Provide an update on evidence-based resources based on 6 years of scoping review and national surveys. 

2. Hear from leaders in correctional workplace safety, health and wellness and how they address stress and trauma. 

3. Share the development, implementation and evaluation of resources used in your prison / jail facility,  

4. Consider the awareness / availability, usefulness and helpfulness of resources; and the barriers/facilitators to the utilization and implementation of workplace safety and health programs. 

5. Grow ongoing communications with our expanded national network including the Corrections Wellness Consortium and the longstanding National Corrections Collaborative to support your corrections workplace health efforts.  

Each annual symposium will include: 

a. Organizational needs assessment survey. Follow-up surveys will be directed to programming changes between in-person symposia events. 

b. Evaluate quality and effectiveness of corrections workplace safety and health interventions 

c. Contribute to the development of a correctional safety and health toolkit of resources for broader dissemination. 

Attendees will also have access to the latest evidence-based information and interventions considered to be best practices in corrections safety and health. They will be able to report progress from their own safety and health efforts and build upon the growing knowledge base.

Highlights from 2025

Bios

Project Director / Principal Investigator

Lisa Jaegers, PhD, OTR/L, Saint Louis University

Co-Investigators

Mazen El Ghaziri PhD, MPH, RN, UMASS Lowell

Martin Cherniack, MD, UCONN Health

Jennifer Bello-Kottenstette, MD, Saint Louis University

Michael Vaughn, Ph.D., Saint Louis University