The head of Alabama's prison system says staffing remains “the number one issue” and is looking to a combination of outsourcing and pay and benefit changes to increase the number of officers.
The head of Alabama’s troubled prison system said Wednesday that staffing remains “the number one issue” for the department and is looking to a combination of outsourcing and pay and benefit changes to increase the number of officers working inside state lockups.
A federal judge earlier this month questioned the state’s lack of progress in complying with his order to increase the number of officers. The prison system has lost more than 500 security staff employees over the last 18 months, according to court filings. Hamm told lawmakers the department competes with local law enforcement agencies for officers and that the department lags behind in both pay and benefits. He said the department is working with the Department of Personnel to try to raise pay scales for officers.
Hamm said the department is also seeking $13 million for a system to combat contraband cellphones that inmates obtain. Republican Sen. Greg Albritton, who advocated for the legislation, said he is not satisfied with the progress.
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