<![CDATA[Purpose: This study examines the relationships between workload, work environment, work stress, and correctional officers’ performance and assesses the potential mediating role of work stress at the Class IIA Narcotics Penitentiary Muara Beliti, Indonesia. Research Methodology: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted involving all 88 correctional officers using total sampling. Data were collected through a self-administered five-point Likert-scale questionnaire. The relationships among workload, work environment, work stress, and performance were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) with SmartPLS 4.0. Results: The structural model explained 28.6% of the variance in work stress and 55.1% of the variance in correctional officers’ performance. Workload was positively associated with work stress (β = 0.323) and negatively associated with performance (β = −0.126). The work environment was negatively associated with work stress (β = −0.731) and positively associated with performance (β = 0.346). Work stress had a small negative association with performance (β = −0.084). Among the predictors of performance, the work environment demonstrated the largest direct path coefficient. Because complete bootstrapping statistics for the specific indirect effects were unavailable, the mediating role of work stress could not be conclusively established. Conclusions: Correctional officers’ performance was more strongly associated with the work environment than with workload or work stress. Improving physical, social, and organizational working conditions may therefore represent an important managerial strategy for enhancing officer performance and reducing work stress. Limitations: The study was limited to one institution, 88 respondents, a cross-sectional design, and self-reported data. These limitations restrict the generalizability of the findings and preclude strong causal inference. Contributions: This study contributes to the human resource management and correctional management literature by providing empirical evidence from an Indonesian correctional institution. It also offers practical insights into the importance of improving workplace conditions, managing employee workload, and supporting employee well-being to strengthen correctional officers’ performance.]]>
