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| N.H. DOC seeks $500,000 to cover overtime |
| By The Union Leader |
| Published: 04/25/2005 |
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The New Hampshire prison system, plagued by staff shortages over the past 18 months, is asked Gov. John Lynch and the Executive Council last week to let it transfer $500,000 in savings to cover overtime costs. Corrections Commissioner Stephen Curry told the council in a brief letter that vacancies drove up overtime costs from last July to January 2005 at prisons and the state's secure psychiatric facility. Officials say the vacancies have eased. Today, the prison system is short 134 positions, including 67 uniformed corrections officers, department spokesman Jeff Lyons said. “We were short-staffed through much of 2004. But we have more than 40 staffers who have returned from Iraq and Afghanistan, and another 35 currently in our corrections academy who will be entering the workforce by mid-May,” he said. “Our big effort is still recruiting. We are constantly looking to recruit new staff and personnel.” Materials that Curry provided the Executive Council show that the men's prison in Concord had a total of 88 vacancies during the six-month period, including 66 corrections officer, 12 sergeants and eight corporals. Many of the openings have been filled, Lyons said. The department saved $3.2 million at the prison because it did not pay full salaries and benefits while the jobs were vacant. The overtime bill came to $218,000. The medium security Lakes Region facility had 51 positions go vacant, including 35 corrections officers and 16 corporals and sergeants. Curry wants to spend $78,000 from the $1.8 million that was not spent because of the staff shortages. In Berlin, there were 40 vacant officer and corporal positions, saving $1.5 million but creating the need for $107,000 overtime. The vacancies have had an effect on morale at the prison system. Employees have filed unfair labor practice complaints and grievances related to the manpower shortages, and no-confidence petitions against Curry and the Concord prison warden. |
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