Managing Jails at the Height of Covid 19 Pandemic: Jail Officers in Focus

The COVID-19 pandemic posed unprecedented challenges to jail personnel, affecting their safety, well-being, and ability to perform their duties effectively. This study explored the impact of the pandemic on jail officers, focusing on their experiences, coping strategies, and insights on jail management. The study employed a qualitative phenomenological design using in-depth interview with the twelve (12 participants composing the jail warden, jail officer III, assistant warden, and district jail warden who manage jails. The data was gathered through in-depth interview, using a researcher-made interview guide questionnaire and analyzed using the thematic analysis. Findings revealed that in study objective number one there were three themes emerged; vulnerability and overcrowding, impact on well-being, and challenges in adaptation. In the second objective, the findings revealed three themes; strict implementation of protocols, keeping one’s sanity, and self-care and hygienic measures. Lastly, the third objective revealed three themes; strict hygiene and protocol compliance, medical training and upskilling of jail personnel, and collaboration and delivery of service. The study emphasized the need for improved policy measures, including enhanced hygiene compliance, medical training for personnel, and stronger interagency collaboration to ensure the well-being and safety of jail officers and inmates during future public health crises. These insights contribute to the growing discourse on jail management and underscore the need for a more adaptive and health-conscious correctional system.