Associated Press
NASHVILLE — The Department of Correction is making it easier for prison guards to earn overtime after an outcry over schedule changes that critics blame for a severe shortage of officers and recent prison violence.
The Times Free Press reported today that some 320 corrections officers have quit since the department began implementing the new scheduling policy.
The Tennessean reports that beginning Saturday, employees will be paid overtime once they’ve worked 160 hours on a 28-day schedule. Previously, they had to work 171 hours to qualify for overtime.
Before the change to the 28-day schedule, correctional officers worked a traditional 40-hour week. The new schedule was intended to save $1.4 million in overtime costs.
State lawmakers recently questioned Commissioner Derrick Schofield about manpower shortages and safety concerns related to the new schedule. Three state-run prisons were put on lockdown last week because of safety issues. In one case, eight prisoners were injured during stabbings.