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Union and frontline staff warn of staffing crisis; committee asks DOC and VSEA to propose solutions
Summary
Union leaders and a corrections officer told the Joint Legislative Justice Oversight Committee about rising vacancies, repeated 16‑hour shifts and safety concerns; the committee drafted a letter asking DOC and VSEA to collaborate on recruitment and retention solutions for presentation at the December meeting.
Union leaders and corrections staff told lawmakers on Oct. 16 that Vermont is facing an urgent corrections staffing and retention problem that is affecting employee safety and facility operations.
Steve Howard, executive director of the Vermont State Employees Association, said staffing vacancies increased from 15% to 18% since June and described members being forced to work repeated 16‑hour shifts. "We are forcing correctional officers to work 16 hour shift after 16 hour shift after 16 hour shift," Howard said, arguing that exhaustion undermines safety and retention and urging legislative engagement on recruitment, retirement and incentive…
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