COSS Interview Guide

Attachment G: Interview Guide

Correctional Officer Stressors and Suicide Feasibility Study: Interview Guide
Facilities
Facility Point of
Contact
Date

Interviewers
Notetakers
Interviewees

Introduction and purpose of the call
Hello, this is [INTERVIEWER NAME], calling from Abt Global (Abt) on behalf of the Bureau of Justice
Statistics (BJS). Thank you for agreeing to participate in BJS’s feasibility study on Correctional Officers
Stressors and Suicide.
Information about the Study: The purpose of this study is to learn about correctional officer stressors
and suicide. We will be asking you questions about practices and policies that impact correctional officers
in your <>, data collected by your agency on correctional officer stressors and suicide.
We are interested in learning about and how and where those data are housed, as well as any potential
challenges and solutions that BJS might encounter if they were to request administrative-level data for
research purposes. We are collecting this information for internal BJS planning purposes to determine
whether BJS should try to gather administrative-level correctional officer data from prisons and local jails
in the future.
We ask for your assistance with this study because your input is valuable in helping BJS understand what
information about correctional officer stress and suicide is kept by your agency and the capability to
share these data. Your responses will help BJS to make an informed decision on whether and how to
proceed with collecting statistics on correctional officer stress and suicide. The interview should take
between 45 and 60 minutes. Your participation in this study is voluntary. You may decline to answer any
questions, or stop your participation, at any time.
Confidentiality Statement: Individual responses about your <> will not be published
or released outside of BJS. BJS and Abt are bound by federal law (34 USC 10231) to use data for research
and statistical purposes only, maintain and protect the data securely, and ensure data confidentiality.
Your responses will remain confidential. Only Abt and BJS staff will have access to the names and
responses of correctional staff who are interviewed.
Before we Begin: Before we begin the interview, we would like your permission to record this interview.
Again, your responses to our questions will not be published or released outside of BJS. BJS and Abt are
bound by federal law (34 USC 10231) to use data for research and statistical purposes only, maintain and
protect the data securely, and ensure data confidentiality. Do we have your permission to record this
interview?
Interviewee answers Yes/No. If yes, continue:
We are now recording based upon your consent to record this interview.
We were given your name by <> as someone who is
knowledgeable about policies and practices related to correctional officer stress and suicide being used
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*NOTE: If speaking to DOC rep, in preparation for the call, populate the list of prison facilities under that DOC’s jurisdiction.

Attachment G: Interview Guide
at facilities within your agency. Are you able to answer questions on these topics? Can you please tell us
your official title and role within the <>?
You may not be able to answer all of our questions right now – that is okay! We will be taking notes, and
we will send them to you after the interview, along with any questions that are outstanding. Do you have
any questions before we begin?
Great! We will begin taking notes now. [Start notetaking]

Confirming Facility Information [Pre-populated prior to call]
I would like to begin by confirming some of the information we have collected on your
<>. I will read the information we have gathered, and please tell me if there is
any information to correct.
 Facility type(s) (check all that apply):

 Respondent type
☐ Reporting for a single jurisdiction/facility

☐ Jail
☐ Locally operated
☐ Privately operated

☐ Reporting for multiple facilities
☐ DOC
☐ BOP
☐ Private corporation
☐ Jail jurisdiction

☐ Prison
☐ State-operated
☐ Privately-operated
☐ BOP-operated

☐ Integrated system (combined jail/prison)
 Facility(ies) house (check all that apply):
☐ Pretrial and awaiting sentencing
☐ Holds for other agencies
☐ Sentenced
☐ Other (specify)______________________



Custody classification of inmates in your
facility(ies) (check all that apply):
☐ Minimum/Low
☐ Super
☐ Medium
☐ Administrative
☐ High

 Sex of inmates housed: Female-only / Coed
facility / Combo

[** If respondent is reporting on multiple facilities:] Given that we are asking about the availability of
data for multiple facilities operated by your jurisdiction, I would like you to answer on behalf of all of
those facilities. The response may be the same for all facilities; however, please let me know if there are
any questions that may have different answers for different facilities. For example, you may have the
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Attachment G: Interview Guide
same policies and procedures for all of your facilities; however, you may have human resource system
vendors that differ based on facility.
During the interview, we will ask you to tell us about the policies and practices that guide the facility’s
correctional officer staffing and influence correctional officer experiences. For each item, we would also
like you tells us about any significant challenges facilities may have in providing this information to BJS.
This may include legal, technological, resource, or confidentiality issues that may prevent you from
reporting the information. We would also like to hear your thoughts about any potential mitigation
strategies for these potential barriers.
Interviewer instruction:
Probes are requested for “No” and “Don’t Know” (DK) responses. Probes should be based on the
nature of the response given.
For “no” or “DK” with further explanatory information: Please tailor probes based on the explanation
accompanying the response to learn more detail about the explanation provided, as appropriate.
For responses of DK with no explanatory information, examples of possible probes appear below:
1. Is there someone in your agency who might be able to provide this information?”
(for potential use with all items)
2. Is this information that you might be able to provide in the future? What steps would you need to
take to provide these data?
3. “If you do not know the answer, is this because this policy does is applied differently (e.g. across
facilities, for some positions but not others?” (e.g., to use with items 6, 8)
For responses of no with no explanatory information, examples of possible probes appear below:
“When you say that your agency would not be able to provide this information at a facility level”
1. Is this information not collected/recorded by your agency?
2. Is this information available for all facilities but individual facilities?
3. is the reason because this circumstance has not arisen? Has this circumstance occurred but a policy
does not exist?” (e.g., to use with items 12, 13)
Let’s begin with Section 1.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------SECTION 1: Staffing levels and work schedules for Correctional Officers

First, we’d like to ask some questions about CO staffing levels and work schedules
1. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
a. “Please describe the standard work/shift schedule for COs? Hours of shifts, times of shifts,
number of days/shifts per pay period. Please define what is included in a pay period (e.g.,
weekly, two-weeks, monthly).” Open-ended response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If
No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
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Attachment G: Interview Guide
b. Are there on-call periods for staff? Please define the on-call periods (e.g., regular part of staff
scheduling, are they used only to cover staff shortages, time on-call vs. time not on-call during
how many days, per week or per pay period, etc.) Open-ended response  Probe
Probe notes:
2. Would your agency be able to provide data at a facility-level for this question:
“How many funded positions for full-time COs were authorized as of Jan. 1, XX?” Numeric
response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
3. Would your agency be able to provide data at a facility-level for this question:
“How many funded positions for full-time supervisory COs were authorized as of Jan. 1, XX?”
Numeric response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
4. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“How many funded positions for full-time COs were vacant as of Jan. 1, XX?” Numeric
response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
5. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“How many funded positions for supervisory COs were vacant as of Jan. 1, XX?” Numeric
response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
6. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“From Jan. 1, XX – Dec. 31, XX, how many COs were hired?” Numeric response Yes/No/Do
not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes
7. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“From Jan. 1, XX – Dec. 31, XX, how many COs ended employment at your facility by:”
a. “Quitting without notice?” Numeric response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If
No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
b. “Resignation with any prior notice?” Numeric response Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
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Probe Notes:
c. “Retirement?” Numeric response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not
know  Probe
Probe Notes:
d. “Termination?” Numeric response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not
know  Probe
Probe Notes:
e. “Any other types of departure from employment?” Numeric response Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe: If yes, please tell me about the
other types of departure.
Probe Notes:
8. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“From Jan. 1, XX – Dec. 31, XX, how many COs had an extended leave of absence (not
traditional paid time off; for example: parental leave, Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA),
administrative leave, suspension, short-term disability, leave without pay)?” Numeric response
Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
9. Would your agency be able to provide this data and/or policies at a facility-level for this
question:
“Does the facility have a policy on:”
a. “The maximum work hours for COs per day?” Yes/No response Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
b. “The minimum rest time required for COs after shifts?” Yes/No response Yes/No/Do
not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
c. “Mandatory overtime for COs?” Yes/No response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered,
If No/Do not know  Probe: If yes: Are COs always required to work assigned
mandatory overtime? Please describe reasons COs may decline mandatory overtime,
consequences that may result, etc.
Probe Notes:
i. “What is the allowed maximum number or limit of overtime hours?” Numeric
response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
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Attachment G: Interview Guide
ii. “What time period does this maximum or limit apply to (e.g., “The maximum
over time hours a CO can work per week is 24 hours”)?”: Please select one
_Daily;
_Weekly;
_Pay period – Define pay period length” Checked response Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
10. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“What is the average number of overtime hours worked by COs, as of the most recent pay period
or month?” Numeric response, by pay period, by month (select one) Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
11. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
a. “How many COs worked overtime hours in the most recent pay period or month?
Numeric response, by pay period, by month (select one)” Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
b. “How many COs did not work any overtime hours in the most recent pay period or
month? Numeric response, by pay period, by month (select one)” Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:

12. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
a. “What is the total number of overtime hours worked by COs for the last calendar year?
Numeric response” Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
b. “What is the total number of non-overtime hours worked by COs for the last calendar
year? Numeric response” Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know 
Probe
Probe Notes:

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Attachment G: Interview Guide
13. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“Does your facility use non-custodial staff to fulfill a custodial role (augmentation)? Yes/No
response.” Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
a. “If YES to Q13: How many hours has non-custodial staff been used to augment
custodial staff in the facility from Jan. 1, XX – Dec. 31, XX? Numeric response”
Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
b. “If YES to Q13: How many non-custodial staff provided augmentation for at least one
shift from Jan. 1, XX – Dec. 31, XX? Numeric response” Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Note:
14. Are there any legal, technological, resource, or confidentiality issues that would make it difficult
or impossible to respond to any of these questions about staffing levels and work schedules for
Correctional Officers? Yes/No
a. IF YES to Q14: Can you describe what those issues are?
Probe Notes:
b. IF YES to Q14: Can you think of any ways that might help us to resolve these issues?
Probe Notes:

SECTION 2: Salary and time off for Correctional Officers
Next, we would like to ask you about salary and time off for Correctional Officers
15. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“What is the average annual salary for COs at this facility?” Numeric response Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
a. “What is the starting salary with zero years of previous experience for COs at this
facility?” Numeric response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered
Probe Notes:

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16. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“How does your facility track vacation and sick time, select which best fits your facility’s
practices?” Select individual response
- Paid Time Off, which includes sick and vacation time, not tracked separately (e.g., “have 48
hours of paid time off) Answer Q16 PTO variant and skip Q17, Q18
- Paid Time Off, which includes sick and vacation time, but tracked separately (e.g., “have 8
hours of sick time and 40 hours of vacation time”) skip 16 PTO variant, go to 17
- Sick and Vacation Time tracked separately (e.g., “have 8 hours of sick time and 40 hours of
vacation time”) skip Q16 PTO variant, go to 17
Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
a. “Does your facility require a certain amount of paid time off or vacation to be used each
year?” Yes/No response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
17. PTO variant – Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this
question:
“How many days of paid time off per calendar year are full-time COs provided in your facility?”
Numeric response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe to
determine if there are different leave amounts given based on tenure, rank, other factors
Probe Notes:
a. “What was the average number of paid time off days used by COs between Jan. 1, XX –
Dec. 31, XX?” Numeric response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not
know  Probe
Probe Notes:
18. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“How many days of paid vacation per calendar year are full-time COs provided in your
facility?” Numeric response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
a. “What was the average number of paid vacation days used by COs between Jan. 1, XX –
Dec. 31, XX?” Numeric response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not
know  Probe
Probe Notes:

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19. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“How many days of paid sick leave per calendar year are COs provided in your facility?”
Numeric response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
a. “What was the average number of paid sick leave days used by COs at this facility
between Jan 1., XX – Dec. 31, XX? Numeric response” Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
20. Are there any legal, technological, resource, or confidentiality issues that would make it difficult
or impossible to respond to any of these questions about salary and time off for Correctional
Officers? Yes/No
a. IF YES to Q20: Can you describe what those issues are?
Probe Notes:
b. IF YES to Q20: Can you think of any ways that might help us to resolve these issues?
Probe Notes:
SECTION 3: Education and training for Correctional Officers
Now we would like to ask you about the types educational and training requirements and opportunities for
Correctional Officers
21. Would your agency be able to provide this data and/or policy at a facility-level for this
question:
“What are the minimum education requirements to be a CO in this facility/state?” Open-ended
response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
22. Would your agency be able to provide this data and/or policy at a facility-level for this
question:
“What is the minimum age requirement to be hired as a CO in this facility/state?” Open-ended
response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
23. Would your agency be able to provide this data and/or policy at a facility-level for this
question:
“Does your agency have a training program for new COs in this facility/state?” Yes/No response
Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
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Probe Notes:
a. If YES to Q23: “How long is the training program for new COs in this facility/state? Please
specify in hours.” Numeric response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know 
Probe
Probe Notes:
24. Would your agency be able to provide this data and/or policy at a facility-level for this
question:
“Are COs required to take any annual or semi-annual trainings?” Yes/No response Yes/No/Do
not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
a. “If YES to Q24: What are the trainings? Open-ended response” Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered
25. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“Are COs provided opportunities to attend professional conferences or other professional
development activities other than required training?” Yes/No response Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
a. If Yes to Q25: “How many COs attended professional conferences between Jan. 1,
XX – Dec. 31, XX?” Numeric response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered
b. IF Yes to Q25: “How many COs engaged in professional development activities,
other than conferences between Jan. 1, XX – Dec. 31, XX?” Numeric response
Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered
26. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“Does your state/facility have a union which COs can join?” Yes/No Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
a. “How many COs in this facility belonged to a labor union as of Dec. 31, XX?” Numeric
response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
27. Would your agency be able to provide this information at a facility-level for this question:
“Are COs issued a firearm for work?” Yes/No response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered

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a. “If YES to Q27: How many COs had a work-issued firearm, as of December 31, XX?”
Numeric response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
b. “If YES to Q27: Does your facility have a policy that outlines use and storage of duty
firearms during off-duty hours?” Yes/No response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered,
If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
28. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“Are COs required to attend training on safe storage of firearms?” Yes/No response Yes/No/Do
not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
a. “If YES to Q28: How often is the training required (e.g., annual, at time of hiring)?”
Open-ended response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
29. Are there any legal, technological, resource, or confidentiality issues that would make it difficult
or impossible to respond to any of these questions about education and training for Correctional
Officers? Yes/No
a. IF YES to Q29: Can you describe what those issues are?
Probe Notes:
b. IF YES to Q29: Can you think of any ways that might help us to resolve these issues?
Probe Notes:

SECTION 4: Correctional Officer Stressors and Indicators of Stress
Next we’d like to ask you about information you can provide on stressors for COs in the
workplace and indicators of CO stress
30. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“Does your facility have a policy that limits or sets the number of inmates for which a CO can
be assigned and/or supervise?” Yes/No response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do
not know  Probe
Probe Notes:

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31. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“Does your facility have a restrictive housing unit, sometimes called special population, solitary
confinement, isolation units, and does not include medical units?” Yes/No response Yes/No/Do
not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
a. If YES to Q31: “Are there limits or rules about the number of hours or amount of time
that a CO can work in a restrictive housing unit?” Yes/No response Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
i. If YES to Q31a: “What are those limits?” Open-ended response Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered
32. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“How many COs were the subject of an investigation conducted by the facility or an oversight
authority in your system from Jan. 1, XX – Dec. 31, XX?” Numeric response Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
a. “From Jan 1., XX – Dec. 31, XX, what topic or behaviors were COs under investigation
for?” Open ended response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know 
Probe
Probe Notes:
33. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“How many COs received any disciplinary action from Jan. 1, XX – Dec. 31, XX?” Numeric
response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
a. “From Jan 1., XX – Dec. 31, XX, what topic or behaviors did COs receive disciplinary
action for?” Open ended response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not
know  Probe
Probe Notes:
34. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“From Jan. 1, XX – Dec. 31, XX, how many workplace injuries were reported by COs at this
facility? Numeric response” Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:

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a. “If Q34>0: How many COs reported workplace injuries at this facility from Jan. 1, XX –
Dec. 31, XX? Numeric response” Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not
know  Probe
Probe Notes:
b. “If Q34>0: How many workplace injuries reported by COs were due to an assault or use
of force incident? Numeric response” Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not
know  Probe
Probe Notes:
c. “If Q34>0: How many COs filed a workers compensation claim from Jan. 1, XX – Dec.
31, XX? Numeric response” Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know 
Probe
Probe Notes:
35. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“How many COs were known to have died from suicide between Jan. 1, XX – Dec. 31, XX?”
Numeric response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
36. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“How many non-CO staff were known to have died from suicide between Jan. 1, XX – Dec. 31,
XX?” Numeric response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
37. Are there any legal, technological, resource, or confidentiality issues that would make it difficult
or impossible to respond to any of these questions about correctional officer stressors and
indicators of for Correctional Officers? Yes/No
a. IF YES to Q37: Can you describe what those issues are?
Probe Notes:
b. IF YES to Q37: Can you think of any ways that might help us to resolve these issues?
Probe Notes:

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SECTION 5: Services and Programs available to Correctional Officers
Now we’d like to ask you about services and programs available to COs to assist with stressors
in their work and daily lives
38. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“Does your facility offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for COs?” Yes/No response
Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
a. “If YES to Q38: Does your facility have a policy that allows managers or Human
Resources to initiate EAP contact on behalf of the CO?” Yes/No response Yes/No/Do
not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
“If YES to Q38a:”
i. “Does your facility initiate EAP contact if a CO screens positive for
drugs/substances?” Yes/No response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If
No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
ii. “Does your facility initiate EAP contact if a CO is under investigation?” Yes/No
response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
iii. “Does your facility initiate EAP contact if a CO receives discipline?” Yes/No
response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
iv. “Does your facility initiate EAP contact with employees following critical
events?” Yes/No response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not
know  Probe
Probe Notes:

39. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“Does your facility offer CO’s other types of wellness programs that are separate from an EAP
for COs?” Yes/No response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:

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a. “If YES to Q39: Please tell me what types of wellness programs are available to CO’s at
this facility.” Open ended response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not
know  Probe
Probe Notes:
40. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“Does the facility have a policy that requires a Critical Incident Stress Management response
within a specified time frame when certain incidents occur? Yes/No response” Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
41. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“From Jan. 1, XX through Dec. 31, XX, how many Critical Incident Stress Management
responses, by type of incident, were initiated?”
a. “Inmate death” Numeric response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered
b. “Inmate fight that results in injury to other inmates” Numeric response Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered
c. “Inmate fight that results in injury to COs or other facility staff” Numeric response
Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered
d. “Inmate suicide attempt” Numeric response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered
e. “Sexual assault on inmate” Numeric response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered
f.

“Sexual assault on CO or facility staff” Numeric response Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered

g. “Death of CO or facility staff” Numeric response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered
h. “Suicide of CO or facility staff” Numeric response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered
i.

“Disturbances” Numeric response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered

j.

“Other – please specify” Open-ended response and Numeric response Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered
Probe Notes:

Definitions: A disturbance is an incident brought about by inmate action that results in loss
of control of the facility or a portion of the facility and requires extraordinary measures to
regain control.
A loss of control is defined as a situation in which inmates are acting in concert to disrupt
facility operations and refuse to comply with lockdown orders.
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Examples of extraordinary measures include sending in a significant number of staff or the
tactical response team, firing of shots, use of gas, etc.
42. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“What is included in your facility’s Critical Incident Stress Management response? Check all that
apply”
a. “Critical Incident Stress Debriefing” Yes/No response Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
b. “Post critical incident seminars” Yes/No response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered,
If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
c. “Trauma dog/Pet therapy” Yes/No response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If
No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
d. “Access to counselor and resources” Yes/No response Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know  Probe
Probe Notes:
e. “Other elements – specify” Yes/No and open response Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered
43. Are there any legal, technological, resource, or confidentiality issues that would make it difficult
or impossible to respond to any of these questions about services and programs for Correctional
Officers? Yes/No
a. IF YES to Q43: Can you describe what those issues are?
Probe Notes:
b. IF YES to Q43: Can you think of any ways that might help us to resolve these issues?
Probe Notes:

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SECTION 6: Characteristics of Correctional Officers and facilities
Finally, we’d like to ask you some questions about characteristics of CO’s and facilities in your
system
44. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“How many COs currently employed by this facility are: Men, Women, Total. Numeric
response” Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered
a. “From Jan. 1, XX – Dec. 31, XX, how many COs employed by this facility were: Men,
Women, Total. Numeric response” Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/ Do not know
 Probe
Probe Notes:
45. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“Of the total COs currently employed by this facility, how many were: Asian; Black or African
American; Hispanic or Latino; Middle Eastern or North African; Native Hawaiian or Pacific
Islander; White” Numeric response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered  Probe
Probes:
1. Which of these categories exist in the agencies information system?
2. Do the definitions given here match the definitions for the agency categories?
3. Which of these categories are not included in the agency’s information system?
4. What categories does your system use that are not included in the race breakout that we
presented here? Given these differences, how would you report the race for COs in these
other categories?
Definitions:
American Indian or Alaska Native. Individuals with origins in any of the original peoples of
North, Central, and South America, including, for example, Navajo Nation, Blackfeet Tribe of
the Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana, Native Village of Barrow Inupiat Traditional
Government, Nome Eskimo Community, Aztec, and Maya.
Asian. Individuals with origins in any of the original peoples of Central or East Asia, Southeast
Asia, or South Asia, including, for example, Chinese, Asian Indian, Filipino, Vietnamese,
Korean, and Japanese.
Black or African American. Individuals with origins in any of the Black racial groups of Africa,
including, for example, African American, Jamaican, Haitian, Nigerian, Ethiopian, and Somali.
Hispanic or Latino. Includes individuals of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Salvadoran, Cuban,
Dominican, Guatemalan, and other Central or South American or Spanish culture or origin.

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Middle Eastern or North African. Individuals with origins in any of the original peoples of the
Middle East or North Africa, including, for example, Lebanese, Iranian, Egyptian, Syrian, Iraqi,
and Israeli.
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. Individuals with origins in any of the original peoples of
Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands, including, for example, Native Hawaiian,
Samoan, Chamorro, Tongan, Fijian, and Marshallese.
White. Individuals with origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, including, for example,
English, German, Irish, Italian, Polish, and Scottish
46. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“What was the rated capacity of this facility, as of Jan. 1, XX?” Numeric Response/Don’t Know
Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered
If Don’t Know to Q46: “As of Jan. 1, XX, what was the design capacity of this facility?”
Numeric Response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered
Definition: Rated capacity is the number of beds or inmates assigned by rating officials for safe
and efficient operation of this facility. It may exceed design capacity because of double bunking.
However, beds in an area not designed as sleeping space, such as day rooms and multipurpose
rooms, should not be included in rated capacity.
Definition: Design capacity is the number of inmates that planners or architects intended for this
facility.
47. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“What was the physical security of this facility, as of Jan. 1, XX.” Mark the one box that best
describes the physical security of the facility.
_Super Maximum;
_Maximum/close/high;
_Medium;
_Minimum/low;
_Administrative (e.g., medical facilities);
_Other – specify;
_none Selected response” Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered
Definitions: Super maximum, maximum/close/high security is characterized by walls or doublefence perimeters, armed towers, or armed patrols. Cell housing is isolated in one of two ways:
within a cell block so that a prisoner escaping from a cell is confined within the building or by
double security from the perimeter by bars, steel doors, or other hardware. All entry or exit is via
trap gate or sally port.

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Attachment G: Interview Guide
Medium security is characterized by a single or double-fenced perimeter with armed coverage
by towers or patrols. Housing units are cells, rooms, or dormitories. Dormitories are living units
designed or modified to accommodate 12 or more persons. All entry or exit is via trap gate or
sally port.
Minimum or low security is characterized by a fence or “posted” perimeter. Cell housing units
are rooms or dormitories. Normal entry and exit are under visual surveillance.
48. Would your agency be able to provide this data at a facility-level for this question:
“Was this facility under a state or federal court order or consent decree for specific conditions of
confinement as of Jan. 1, XX?” Yes/No response” Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered
a. If Yes to Q48: “What is the maximum number of inmates this facility is allowed to
house?” Numeric Response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered
b. If Yes to Q48: “What were the specific conditions?” Mark all conditions that apply:
Crowding; Visiting/mail/telephone policy; Accommodation of disabled; Religious
practices; mental health services/treatment; Search policies or practices; Fire hazards;
Medical facilities or services; Disciplinary procedures or policies; Grievance procedures
or policies; Staffing; Administrative segregation procedures or policies; Library
services; Recreation/exercise; Inmate classification; Foodservices/nutrition/cleanliness;
Counseling Programs; Education; Other- specify. Selected responses Yes/No/Do not
know/Unanswered
49. Are there any legal, technological, resource, or confidentiality issues that would make it difficult
or impossible to respond to any of these questions about Characteristics of correctional officers
and facilities? Yes/No
a. IF YES to Q49: Can you describe what those issues are?
Probe Notes:
b. IF YES to Q49: Can you think of any ways that might help us to resolve these issues?
Probe Notes:

SECTION 7: Close-out Interview
That concludes the specific questions that we have for you. However, we would like to hear your
thoughts.
50. “Are there other resources in your agency to support COs that you think would be helpful for us
to know about?” Yes/No response Yes/No/Do not know/Unanswered, If No/Do not know 
Probe
Probe Notes:

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a. “If YES to Q50: “What are these other resources provide to support COs? Open-ended
response” Yes/No/Do not know`/Unanswered
51. Are there any other policies, programs, or practices at your agency that would help us
understand the impact of correctional officer stressors and suicide?

Thank you for your time and assistance. Do you have any questions we can answer?

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