By C1 Staff
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama DOC has found itself running out of money, and overtime costs are eating into its savings.
Following several financial crises, recruitment has all but stopped when it comes to replacing a CO who retires or quits, according to AL.com. This causes those still on staff to work more hours, which has lead to bloated overtime costs.
Money from the federal government’s stimulus plan bolstered Alabama prisons for a brief period between 2010 and 2011, but that money has since run out.
Legislature has approved a $17 million increase in order to hire more COs, but attracting, training and getting them into the system will take more time that the DOC may not have.
“We’re getting down to the point where we need to put another $2 to $300 million into the general fund on a regular basis to do things like remedy the prison system, “said State Rep. Steve Clouse.
“We’re trying to find more money for prisons.”