Prison Staffing Tops Concerns

Under-staffing concerns, medical shortages, rising assault numbers and perceived lack of concern on the part of the Bureau continue to anger union reps who say issues are not being addressed, leaving the safety of officers and inmates in danger at federal institutions where some of the most hardened criminals are being housed.

Staff shortages are the biggest concern for prison workers, who say lack of employees can contribute to a dangerous malaise on the part of inmates.

“The poorer of care you provide inmates, the greater risk of problems,” said Dave Schiefelbein, a medical staff member at Florence ADX. “When inmates reach the end of their rope, they riot.”

Tuesday’s gathering was part of a week-long caucus for 100 Council of Prison Locals officials and representatives from the American Federation of Government Employees North Central Region; the AFGE is the nation’s largest union for federal workers, which represents Bureau correctional officers across the country.

Canon Daily Record