Correctional officers, and law enforcement in general, are statistically more likely to cheat on their partners than most other professions.
But, why is this?
Well, there are a few reasons actually.
In this article I’m listing 9 of the reasons why correctional officers cheat on their spouses:
Why Do Correctional Officers Cheat?
1. The Long Hours Mean More Time With Coworkers Than Spouses
First off, I want to make it clear that none of the reasons I cover in this list are acceptable reasons for an affair!
That said, the first reason is that correctional officers are known to work long hours, often closely with other officers.
12-hour shifts are not uncommon, as are 7-day stretches and officers frequently have to work overtime.
This means that correctional officers often spend a lot more time with their coworkers than their spouses.
Over time, bonds form between officers and it’s not uncommon for those bonds to turn into something more.
2. There Is a Real Sense of Comradery Among Correctional Officers
Another reason why correctional officers cheat is that there is a real sense of comradery among them.
Officers often go through training together, experience traumatic events or at least shocking events on an almost daily basis, and have each other’s backs.
This is especially true for those who have been working together for a long time.
That level of intimacy can sometimes lead to an affair. It’s also very common for correctional officers to develop emotional affairs, if not physical.
Related – 11 signs an inmate is using you – and 11 signs an inmate loves you!
3. The Adrenaline and Protective Nature of the Role
The third reason why correctional officers cheat is related to the first two.
Being a correctional officer is an adrenaline-filled job. There’s a lot of excitement, a lot of danger, and a lot of stress.
It’s also a job that comes with a great deal of responsibility.
Correctional officers are responsible for the safety of both the inmates and the staff.
This can lead to a feeling of protectiveness towards coworkers, which can sometimes turn into an affair.
4. Sometimes It’s Just Boredom
Correctional officers are also human. They get bored being at work a lot, just like the rest of us.
And, when someone is bored at work, sometimes they turn to their coworkers for excitement.
This is particularly true if they feel like their spouse isn’t providing enough excitement in their life or things aren’t going well at home.
It’s not an excuse for an affair, but it is a reason.
Boredom can also lead to emotional affairs, as officers turn to their coworkers for attention and conversation.
5. It’s a Physical Profession
Correctional officers also deal with a lot of physical contact in their roles.
They have to search inmates, which can sometimes lead to inappropriate relationships with inmates.
They also have to come into contact with other offices during training and real-life situations, which isn’t true of many jobs.
This simple stimulus can often bring two people closer together and bridge that gap most professionals have of never making physical contact with their coworkers.
6. There Is a High Level of Competition Among Officers
Another reason why correctional officers cheat is that there is a high level of competition among them.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it can lead to problems.
The competitive nature of the job means that officers are always looking for ways to one-up each other.
This can sometimes lead to an affair if an officer feels like they’re not getting the attention they deserve from their spouse.
7. It’s a Stressful Job
Finally, it’s important to remember that being a correctional officer is a stressful job.
It’s not just the long hours or the danger. It’s also the emotional stress of dealing with inmates and their families, as well as the staff.
This stress can lead to problems in an officer’s personal life, which can sometimes have the knock-on effect of starting an affair at work.
8. Maybe You Need to Look Closer to Home for the Reason
If you suspect – or know – your spouse is cheating on you and they’re a correctional officer, maybe the reason isn’t to do with their job.
Yes, correctional officers have a reputation for cheating, but you can’t just blame their infidelity on their job if the problems are at home.
Many spouses cheat with someone at work due to the fact that they spend so much time with their coworkers.
If their home life is bad, it pushes them (not saying it’s right) into the arms of someone else they’re able to confide in.
9. They’re Just Human at the End of the Day
Sometimes those working in law enforcement or having a position of power over others are seen as being emotionally or mentally stronger in some way.
However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
Correctional officers are human, just like you, and the stress and challenges that come with the job can take a serious toll on their relationships.
I hope this article has helped you better understand why correctional officers cheat.
If you’re married to a correctional officer, at the very least they’ll be impressed to learn you are now more aware of the challenges they face, both professionally and personally!
Image credits – Photo by Charles Fair on Unsplash
Phil lives in England, UK, and has around 20 years experience as a professional life, career and executive coach. He started this blog to help others find and define their own self development journey. Blogging about a wide range of topics to help facilitate a better future.