Abstract
Background:
Custody Officers (CO) are often exposed to workplace hazards when monitoring prisoners, managing prisoner recreational time, or when searching for contraband yet research into their injuries is limited.
Purpose:
This review aimed to identify, appraise, and synthesise research investigating injuries in CO. This review aimed to identify, appraise, and synthesise research investigating injuries in CO.
Methods:
Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol and registration with the Open Science Framework, a systematic search of five databases (PubMed, ProQuest, Embase, CINAHL and SportDiscus) using key search terms was conducted. Identified studies were considered against eligibility criteria with the remaining studies critically appraised using the appropriate Joanna Briggs Institute checklist.
Results:
From 975 identified studies, eight studies (mean critical appraisal score = 69±25%) remained to inform the review. Incidence of fatal injuries ranged from 0.027 to 0.03 per 1000 Full-Time Employees (FTE), whereas non-fatal injuries ranged from 15.9 to 44.0 per 1000 FTE. CO aged 31+ years were the most likely to experience injuries (22-44%). Male CO were more commonly injured than female COs in both fatal injuries (male=89%, female=11%) and non-fatal injuries (male=73-74%, female=26-27%). Assaults (11.5-38%) and slips/ trips/ falls (23.2-25%) were found to be the most common causes of injuries. The upper extremity was the most commonly injured body part (26-30%) with musculoskeletal sprains and strains (30-60.2%) the most common types of injury.
Conclusion(s)
CO injury profiles are similar to those reported in general duties police officers. As such, musculoskeletal conditioning, reconditioning, and falls prevention practices employed in law enforcement, may serve as an initial approach to risk mitigation in this population. Future work in this area should focus on standardising methods for gathering data and defining variables, such as standardizing injury data capture methods and definitions. In addition, the prospective monitoring of the effectiveness of any injury reduction program needs to be performed.
Implications
This review profiles the common injuries suffered within this profession. This informs injury reduction programs and clinicians treating clients from such occupations.
Custody Officers (CO) are often exposed to workplace hazards when monitoring prisoners, managing prisoner recreational time, or when searching for contraband yet research into their injuries is limited.
Purpose:
This review aimed to identify, appraise, and synthesise research investigating injuries in CO. This review aimed to identify, appraise, and synthesise research investigating injuries in CO.
Methods:
Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocol and registration with the Open Science Framework, a systematic search of five databases (PubMed, ProQuest, Embase, CINAHL and SportDiscus) using key search terms was conducted. Identified studies were considered against eligibility criteria with the remaining studies critically appraised using the appropriate Joanna Briggs Institute checklist.
Results:
From 975 identified studies, eight studies (mean critical appraisal score = 69±25%) remained to inform the review. Incidence of fatal injuries ranged from 0.027 to 0.03 per 1000 Full-Time Employees (FTE), whereas non-fatal injuries ranged from 15.9 to 44.0 per 1000 FTE. CO aged 31+ years were the most likely to experience injuries (22-44%). Male CO were more commonly injured than female COs in both fatal injuries (male=89%, female=11%) and non-fatal injuries (male=73-74%, female=26-27%). Assaults (11.5-38%) and slips/ trips/ falls (23.2-25%) were found to be the most common causes of injuries. The upper extremity was the most commonly injured body part (26-30%) with musculoskeletal sprains and strains (30-60.2%) the most common types of injury.
Conclusion(s)
CO injury profiles are similar to those reported in general duties police officers. As such, musculoskeletal conditioning, reconditioning, and falls prevention practices employed in law enforcement, may serve as an initial approach to risk mitigation in this population. Future work in this area should focus on standardising methods for gathering data and defining variables, such as standardizing injury data capture methods and definitions. In addition, the prospective monitoring of the effectiveness of any injury reduction program needs to be performed.
Implications
This review profiles the common injuries suffered within this profession. This informs injury reduction programs and clinicians treating clients from such occupations.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages | 1-1 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 31 May 2025 |
| Event | World Physiotherapy Congress 2025 - Tokyo, Japan Duration: 29 May 2025 → 31 May 2025 https://wp2025.world.physio/ |
Conference
| Conference | World Physiotherapy Congress 2025 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Japan |
| City | Tokyo |
| Period | 29/05/25 → 31/05/25 |
| Internet address |