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| Budget woes handcuff Ill. prisons |
| By myjournalcourier.com |
| Published: 08/29/2011 |
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State budget constraints are creating real safety concerns in Illinois' prison system for some legislators. Already short-staffed, according to state Sen. Shane Cultra, R-Onarga, the Illinois Department of Corrections could lose up to 1,000 prison guards in the next year because of retirement. "This is something that just can't wait any longer. ... It's bad now. What's it going to be like when you lose 1,000 guards?" Cultra questioned. He was joined by state Sen. John O. Jones, R-Mount Vernon. Both senators have two prisons in their districts. They said they are concerned about the staff-to-prisoner ratio at all corrections facilities. Each facility in the state has a ratio of about one prison guard for every 20 prisoners, according to figures released by Cultra and Jones. But Sharyn Elman, spokeswoman for corrections, said the two senators' numbers are flawed. "You can't do an overall comparison. How would you compare and say that it would be the same (number of guards needed) in maximum security facilities as at a minimum security facility? They're comparing apples to oranges," Elman said. Elman said that for the state's super maximum, maximum and medium security prisons, the staffing levels are at one guard for every six inmates. The Department of Corrections had a plan to train at least four new cadet classes averaging about 150 students a class during this fiscal year, which started July 1, but state budget constraints could put a damper on that, Elman said. Read More. |
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