Workers picket over staffing concerns at federal prison

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Staffing shortages, mandated overtime and position transfers are among the complaints from the union representing prison workers at the Federal Correctional Complex in Hazelton.

The Local 420 of the American Federation of Government Employees has planned a 12-hour informational picket Monday, off premises, at the Interstate 68 Bruceton Mills exit.

Richard Heldreth, Local 420 Vice President, claims administrative decisions are compromising worker safety.

FCC Hazelton is made up of three institutions. The Bureau of Prison website lists 1,651 inmates in the high security prison. A minimum security satellite camp that includes a secure female facility houses 1,997 inmates.

Heldreth wrote the national AFGE office this week with concerns.

“FCC Hazelton is severely understaffed, even by BOP standards. We are currently down approximately 52 officers from where the agency believes we should be,” said Heldreth.

Heldreth further stated current correctional officers who have been forced to work overtime to make up for an employee shortage “creates for more dangerous working conditions inside of a high security penitentiary.”

FCC Hazelton human resources representatives hosted a 2-day hiring event last week seeking specifically recruiting correctional officers, medical professionals and psychologists.
Prison administrators predicted hiring at least 30 correctional officers to fill what they called “upcoming vacancies.”

Union concerns over reassigning non-custody staff members to cover shift shortages were addressed Friday according to Heldreth. The prison warden reportedly agreed to cancel reassignments.

The alleged reallocating of correctional officers will include 2 posts Heldreth called critical. Heldreth told MetroNews affiliate WAJR AM the recreation corridor officer and facilities corridor officer are first responders to emergencies and violent incidents.

“They are responsible for director supervision of inmates and for the detection and removal of dangerous contraband such as weapons and narcotics,” Heldreth wrote to the AFGE.

Local 420 represents 600 bargaining unit members at the Hazelton complex.
FCC Hazelton employs 855. Of those, 379 are correctional officer positions





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