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Union: Jail staff shortages lead to forced overtime, turmoil

Union: Jail staff shortages lead to forced overtime, turmoil

Photo: 560 WGAN Newsradio


PORTLAND, Maine (AP) 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.

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