© 2024 Maine Public | Registered 501(c)(3) EIN: 22-3171529
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Scroll down to see all available streams.

Union: Jail Staff Shortages In Maine Lead To Forced Overtime, Turmoil

A union representing Maine corrections officers says jail staffing shortages are leading to forced overtime and turmoil among staff.

A National Correction Employee Union official urged York and Cumberland county officials Thursday to undo a contract that moved dozens of inmates from York to Cumberland and to find another place to put the overflow of inmates. The union said the Cumberland facility is also short-staffed and struggling to hire guards resulting in 600 forced overtime shifts in the second half of 2019.

In July,a Cumberland officer fell asleep and caused a crash that killed a 9-year-old girl when he fell asleep after working multiple overtime shifts.