Overtime in Wisconsin prisons tops $42 million as state wrestles with worker shortage [View all]

MADISON - Taxpayers spent more than $42 million on overtime for prison workers last year largely because of a long-standing shortage of correctional officers that has worsened in recent years.

The situation shows no sign of improvement, despite recent pay raises and attempts by the Department of Corrections to recruit and retain more workers.

As of last month, 920 jobs at state prisons — 12.5% — were vacant, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau.

The problem was most acute at Waupun Correctional Institution and Redgranite Correctional Institution, where more than 20% of the jobs were open. At four other prisons — including the state’s troubled juvenile facility — more than 17% of the jobs were open.

Read more: https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2018/05/18/overtime-wisconsin-prisons-tops-42-million-amid-worker-shortage/617159002/