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Behind the Caseload: New Insights on Compassion Fatigue in Community Corrections
SESSION INFO
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Session Type: Workshop
Community corrections professionals balance supervision and rehabilitation responsibilities while working with clients who often have complex trauma histories. These role demands can contribute to burnout, secondary traumatic stress, and compassion fatigue; yet limited research has examined the professional quality of life among community corrections professionals. This session presents preliminary findings from a statewide study using the Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) Scale. Early results suggest that organizational demands—including frontline supervision roles, hours worked, and the frequency of field visits—may influence levels of secondary traumatic stress. Findings also reveal mixed results regarding the effectiveness of commonly used individual and agency-led wellness programs. Participants will compare their professional experiences with emerging data and explore evidence-based strategies that individuals and agencies can use to strengthen professional well-being.
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SESSION PRESENTERS
Dr. Cassandra Leigh Torres
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, Bellevue University
Cassandra Torres is an Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Bellevue University and the former Program Director and an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at Midland University. She holds a Doctor of Criminal Justice from California University of Pennsylvania, a Master of Forensic Science from Nebraska Wesleyan University, and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Wayne State College. Before transitioning to academia, Dr. Torres spent several years working with the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services, where she served in various roles, ultimately ending up as the Restrictive Housing Program Manager. In these positions, she oversaw inmate programming, conducted disciplinary hearings and investigations, and developed statewide policies to improve housing conditions and compliance. She has taught at multiple institutions, in both full and part-time positions, and her teaching focuses on experiential learning through real-world applications. Dr. Torres is an active conference presenter and a member of several professional organizations, including the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, American Probation and Parole Association, and the International Association for Identification. She is dedicated to preparing her students for meaningful and ethical careers in criminal justice.
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