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.
Abstract
Introduction
The study framework
Prison officers in Sweden
Data and methods
Emotional labour: Concepts and previous research
The emotional labour of prison officers in Sweden
The low-key strategy
Managing prisoners’ disappointment and anger
Encountering prisoners’ sadness and despair
Differences and similarities: the institution of personal officer as an integrative force
Emotional strain and recovery
Differences in emotional labour and emotional strain
Where do they let off steam?
Conclusion
References
European Journal of Criminology
Nylander, P-A; Lindberg, O. & Bruhn, A. (2011). Emotional labour and emotional strain among Swedish prison officers. European Journal of Criminology, 8(6) 469–483.
DOI: 10.1177/1477370811413806
