|
|
| Oklahoma Wardens Brace for Furloughs |
| By Tulsa World |
| Published: 10/14/2002 |
|
Prison wardens across the state are bracing for furloughs scheduled to begin Nov. 1. But they vow that the furloughs at already understaffed prisons won't affect public safety. The state Department of Corrections on Sept. 13 announced that it would furlough its 4,850 employees in the wake of a statewide revenue shortfall that is forcing the agency to cut $18.7 million from its budget. The 23 days each employ will take by the end of the current fiscal year are the maximum allowed. At Dick Conner in Hominy, Workman has 212 employees, although he should, under normal circumstances, have 250 employees. He supervises 1,000 high- and medium-security offenders and 234 minimum-security inmates. He is concerned about public safety and the investment the DOC has in its employees. Support staff will take on what are traditionally considered security posts. Work crews that help out cities and schools have been cut because he doesn't have the staff to supervise them. Workman said his employees have told him they will work hard to make the operation work but don't want their pay cut or reduced because they have obligations like house payments and rent. Many officials are concerned about a possible breach in security. 'I think one thing that is important for people to know is that it costs to incarcerate people,' one official said. 'We are tasked with keeping the public safe. There is a price tag that goes along with that. I think that we need a long-term fix.' |
advertise
|
privacy policy
|
add URL
|
about us
|
terms/disclaimer
|
contact us
|
join our team
|
help
Comments:
No comments have been posted for this article.
Login to let us know what you think