NCJ Number
130050
Journal
Federal Prisons Journal Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (Winter 1991) Pages: 30-37
Date Published
1991
Length
8 pages
Annotation
When working the morning shift from 12 midnight to 8 a.m., prison staff need to be trained about sleep patterns, the circadian rhythm, and coping strategies for shift work.
Abstract
Beyond the need to stay awake and alert to perform on the job, knowledge of sleep patterns is essential for optimum morning watch supervision of inmates. Nonetheless, many officers seem to believe that, because most inmates are asleep, their job entails little more than being available if something goes wrong. In an average sleep cycle for a young adult, the person experiences the deepest sleep about 45 minutes into the pattern. When officers become "sleep stressed," they can achieve deep sleep in a matter of minutes. The cycle of light, noise, and movement results in a number of inmates achieving certain sleep cycles. Some inmates are successful in achieving the first deep sleep cycle but are awakened by noise as they approach the first REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. They view interruptions only as irritations and are successful in achieving deep sleep again. Other inmates are awakened by noise or persons who trigger anxiety and hostility, and their sleep patterns are affected for the rest of the night. Several factors can affect the preceding sleep cycles such as medication, a prior lifestyle, and fear. The relevant point is that the officer must control the sleep environment. Morning watch officers can employ light, sound, snoring, and temperature controls to ensure a proper sleep environment and can also make frequent rounds. A major obstacle to the sleep environment, however, is the circadian rhythm which acts as a biological clock and is based on a 24-hour cycle of voluntary and involuntary physical functions. Officers should sleep in the evening just before they go to work so that they at least start out wide awake and alert. The use of sleep machines by prison staff to induce good sleep is discussed. 4 references and 5 figures