Idaho prisons are working at 76% capacity, with over 180 positions vacant within the nine prisons in Idaho. Correctional officers are burned out, overworked, under paid and dropping like flies. Workers usually work 12-hour shifts and are now being subjected to mandatory overtime with 16-hour work shifts; leaving workers with 8-hours to eat, sleep, take care of themselves and see their families before having to return to work. The low percentage capacity of correctional facilities leads to prisoners visitation hours and recreational area times to be reduced or cancelled, since there are not enough officers to supervise the activities. The main issue obtaining and retaining workers is the wages; having a $16.75 an hour, with Idaho’s rising costs of living, it becomes complicated for officers to afford Idaho prices. The department of corrections hopes the legislature will raise the wage for starting positions and probation and parole officers.
Bartlett Law PLLC
Defense Attorneys in Boise, Idaho
