Corrections officials trim 35 jobs in budget proposal
Most from attrition, but some layoffs coming as part of state cutbacks
The majority of the jobs were already unfilled or addressed through voluntary retirement or reassignment to other jobs within corrections, said department spokeswoman Angie Welling.
While the number of employees who will be laid off has not yet been finalized, Welling expected "just a few" would end up ultimately losing their jobs.
"This has obviously been an arduous process, and one that we have sought to carry out with fairness to and respect for the entire Department of Corrections staff," she said in an e-mail to the Deseret News. "We value our dedicated staff and recognize that these changes will be difficult for those directly impacted, as well as for those staff members who will be asked to shoulder more responsibility in the future."
Corrections has been ordered to make cuts to address part of an overall $272 million state revenue shortfall this budget year. The governor called the Legislature into special session last month to address the shortfall. The cuts will not slow any expansion of the prison system, however.
It also may not help a department that has struggled to hire officers for the prison facilities.
E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com
Recent comments
Davis you show a complete lack of knowledge about the Utah Prison…
JImbo | Oct. 12, 2008 at 7:52 p.m.
Just one correction lest people think otherwise: there is no air…
One Comment to Davis | Oct. 12, 2008 at 6:58 p.m.
Shows they were overstaffed for years, doesn't it? Fatcats leeching…
Davis | Oct. 12, 2008 at 4:44 p.m.
