Union Report shows dangerous understaffing in correctional facilities

Maryland- A new report from the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees has shown that there is a dangerous understaffing issue in Maryland’s Correctional facilities.

The report found that over 34 hundred additional officers are needed in the state.

The Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services says they are operating at an all time time. With a ration of 100 inmates for every 1 officer.

This shortage is leaving many correctional officers overworked and in potentially dangerous situations.

Brittnay Cozart of the AFSCME Analysis team tells 47ABC: “We encountered staffing plans that had not been updated since 2018. It makes no sense that we are operating on outdated plans, but then expected to produce safe and effective environments for inmates and officers alike. Understaffing hinders our ability as correction professionals to provide the best care and safety for detainees.”

We at 47ABC were also told that the understaffing issues are also leading to officers being unable to complete their daily workloads, and that officers who do work extra time to take care of their task are not being compensated for their work.