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Thursday, March 03, 2016

Many States Face Dire Shortage of Prison Guards

In David Sanchez’s nightmares, he’s back in the ravaged New Mexico Penitentiary after one of the deadliest prison riots in U.S. history, the smell of burnt flesh permeating the air. Thirty-three inmates died in the February 1980 riot, hundreds of others were injured, and seven guards were beaten or raped.

Sanchez, a guard at the time and a state prison administrator until last year, is haunted by what can happen when a prison is overcrowded and understaffed. He looks warily today at New Mexico’s prisons, where Corrections Secretary Gregg Marcantel says the staffing level is at a breaking point.

“It’s very unsafe,” Sanchez said. “The officers … are fatigued, they are exhausted. They are on edge.”

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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Simple solution , keep them locked up 24/7 in cells . shower 1 or 2 times a week , meals in cell , this is not a vacation schedule.
Having said that , they could call Obama for an early out to get in the unemployment line and free everything else.

Anonymous said...

One of the toughest and most stressful jobs out there.
Always the threat of death if they ever get out of prison.
The case of the murdered prison guard who lived in Vienna has never been solved. That's why there is a big turn a round at ECI.

Anonymous said...

THIS, is not a surprise.

Anonymous said...

The inmates have too many rights... They should be worked until exhausted and fed little.

Anonymous said...

There are plenty of Neo-Nazi's in this country, let them guard the prisoners and run the camp, I mean jails.