Prison Staffing

"Training and education are not the priority right now. To close this program will hurt no one," said the VP of instruction

"What we're looking to do is create an incentive for jail employees due to the fact we've lost so many in such a short period of time."

COVID-19 put the spotlight on officer recruitment, retention and wellness. The good news is, we have solutions to these issues

The federal government says one officer per 125 inmates is sufficient at the pre-trial detention center; those on the ground say otherwise

The systemwide review was sparked by the March 23 murders of two employees at the Anamosa State Penitentiary

Current officers will see a minimum 15% hike in their pay

FCC Florence, which includes the supermax Administrative Maximum Facility, is currently only 59% staffed

An officer who left his job this year says he took a pay cut for better working conditions elsewhere

"The Department of Corrections believes there isn't a staffing crisis and the union believes there is," said union director Connie Derr

Other incentives being offered: walk-in interviews and a streamlined interview process

The state has fired 12 DOC employees so far

"We will do everything we can to fight this," said union president Benny Boscio

"There are dozens of reasons to leave and very few to stay," said Brian Dawe of One Voice United