Correctional Officer Shortage Costs Taxpayers

A shortage of correctional officers in Wisconsin prisons costs taxpayers over $42 million in overtime last year. The Legislative Fiscal Bureau says there are 920 unfilled corrections jobs, which is a vacancy rate of 12.5%. The overtime pay rose 1.3% from 2016 to 2017. Despite efforts by corrections officials – there seems to be no sign of improvement. The problem was reportedly most severe at Waupun and Redgranite Correctional Institutions, where over 20% of jobs are open. More than 17% of the jobs are open at four other prisons.