Objective To investigate the physical and mental health status of prison police in a western province and analyze their emotional exhaustion and influencing factors.

Methods From November to December 2022, a questionnaire survey was conducted on 2 127 prison police officers to collect general information and assess their health status. The Emotional Exhaustion Scale and Organizational Support Scale were used to measure their levels of emotional exhaustion and perceived organizational support. Differences in physical and mental health between frontline and non-frontline prison police were compared, and multivariate linear regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing emotional exhaustion.

Results A total of 2 013 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effectiveness rate of 94.64%. 23.94% of the prison police rated their physical health as poor, with a higher proportion among frontline staff than non-frontline staff (P < 0.001). The overall detection rate of high emotional exhaustion among the prison police was 32.84%, with the main sources of work stress being the inability to balance work and family (85.39%), great work responsibilities (76.55%), and accountability inspections (66.67%). Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that for each grade increase in the family burden of prison police (neither elderly nor children, only elderly or children, both elderly and children), the emotional exhaustion score increased by an average of 2.868 points (P = 0.020). Compared to those with healthy physical conditions, prison police who rated their physical health as poor had an average increase of 4.418 points in their emotional exhaustion score (P < 0.001). Those with physiological diseases had an average increase of 2.915 points in their emotional exhaustion score compared to those without physiological diseases (P = 0.09). For each grade increase in the level of family support for prison work (fully supportive, somewhat supportive, unsupportive), the emotional exhaustion score increased by an average of 3.202 points (P = 0.001). For each grade increase in the number of night shifts per week (0-2, 3-4, ≥5), the emotional exhaustion score increased by an average of 5.132 points (P = 0.008). Compared to non-frontline work modes, frontline work modes increased the emotional exhaustion score by an average of 2.785 points (P = 0.043). For each additional point in the perceived organizational support score, the emotional exhaustion score decreased by an average of 5.102 points (P < 0.001).

Conclusions The prison police in the western province, especially frontline staff, bore a heavy workload and faced certain negative issues, such as poor physical conditions and emotional exhaustion. It is recommended that relevant departments strengthen logistical support, optimize work patterns, reduce workload, and enhance organizational support to protect the physical and mental health of the prison police force.