By Corrections1 Staff
LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska state legislators saw the frustration and fear in the eyes of corrections staff after visiting prisons in the summer.
The North Platte Telegraph reports that during the visits, corrections employees expressed their concerns about their safety due to the staff shortages and increase in assaults on staff. They also mentioned worker fatigue and having to frequently work double shifts to cover vacant posts.
The concerns prompted legislators to call on Gov. Pete Ricketts Monday to do whatever it takes to stem high turnover rates in state prisons. A 30-page report from a legislative oversight committee called for the consideration of higher pay and better benefits for prison employees.
“We are encouraging the executive branch to do whatever is necessary,” said State Sen. Laura Ebke of Crete, who chaired the oversight committee. “If we need to spend money, we need to spend money.”
A spokesman for Ricketts said that the governor has increased pay for COs over the past three years, and that the state currently pays officers more than both Kansas and South Dakota. Under Ricketts’ administration, COs recieved a 7 percent pay increase over the past year and incentives were added to two of the worst-staffed prisons.
The report said that while some progress has been made, “much more work” is needed. Reductions in staff turnover has not been significant. In October, there were 150 vacant security jobs and 120 in training, leaving 270 vacant posts.