Overtime in Wisconsin prisons tops $42 million as state wrestles with worker shortage

[TexasTowelie]

MADISON - Taxpayers spent more than $42 million on overtime for prison workers last year largely because of a long-standing shortage of correctional officers that has worsened in recent years.

The situation shows no sign of improvement, despite recent pay raises and attempts by the Department of Corrections to recruit and retain more workers.

As of last month, 920 jobs at state prisons — 12.5% — were vacant, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau.

The problem was most acute at Waupun Correctional Institution and Redgranite Correctional Institution, where more than 20% of the jobs were open. At four other prisons — including the state’s troubled juvenile facility — more than 17% of the jobs were open.

Read more: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2018/05/18/overtime-wisconsin-prisons-tops-42-million-amid-worker-shortage/617159002/

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. We have the same problem in New Mexico with prison understaffing.

In many facilities there's obligatory overtime up to 60 hours per week. Our shortage is on the order of 20%, which is horrifying.

Even in an easy job, working 60 hours is hard. But as a prison guard? That's not exactly a job with low stress, and working 12 hours plus per day is not conducive to being a good guard.

[dembotoz]

2. no offense to waupun but would you wanna move there?

redgranite is a 2 horse town where both horses died

frankly i would not have the guts to tell my wife....i just got a job with sorta ok pay and we have to move now....to redgranite.