We are in the midst of a profound crisis in our nation’s correctional system.
Across the country, our nation’s prisons are dangerously understaffed and overcrowded.
Policymakers must act now to protect the health and safety of correctional staff, incarcerated people, and the public at large.
Prisons across the country are dangerously understaffed, overcrowded, and plagued by rapidly deteriorating conditions.
One Voice United (OVU) and FAMM, two leading organizations representing correctional staff (OVU) and incarcerated people and their families (FAMM), have joined together to form the Safer Prisons, Safer Communities campaign.
For too long, our constituencies have been pitted against one another while the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues, friends, and loved ones has suffered. While it may be surprising to some people that we would work together to draw attention to this crisis, we know our fates are intertwined and we have a shared goal of ensuring the health and safety of everyone who works and lives in prison.
EndorseFor too long, our constituencies have been pitted against one another while the safety and wellbeing of our colleagues, friends, and loved ones has suffered. While it may be surprising to some people that we would work together to draw attention to this crisis, we know our fates are intertwined and we have a shared goal of ensuring the health and safety of everyone who works and lives in prison.
SAFER PRISONS SAFER COMMUNITIES
In The News
May 14, 2025
The Surprisingly Expansive Role of the National Guard
Workforce shortages in professions like prison guards and bus drivers can leave states looking for a fix. And the National Guard can be a tempting choice — after all, they’re relatively affordable and easy to mobilize.
The guard’s military training doesn’t directly translate to certain civilian roles they’ve been asked to perform, like running a classroom. But some say the guard are used to learning new skills and adapting to different tasks.
Using the guard to support police is more controversial and governors have announced various limits on the guard’s roles while fulfilling such missions.
Read ArticleMay 14, 2025
Our prison system is in trouble. Neglecting it will be disastrous.
State funding is tight and, with split control in the House and a narrow Democratic margin in the Senate, more money from new taxes is unlikely. The alternative we’re left with is to cut, and that threatens a great many harmful outcomes, most of which we won’t begin to understand until well after budget bills are signed into law.
Last weekend, I attended an event where a guard from one state facility recounted how his unit suffered increased assaults and staff hospitalizations due to understaffing.
Not surprisingly, DOC has the highest turnover rate of any state agency, which is itself expensive due to the cost of hiring and overtime. More competitive pay would help, but stingy budgets make necessary raises impossible.
This is just one example of how underfunding can become self-reinforcing. Here’s another: Because most prisons have closed their medical units, prisoners in need of health care must now be treated in public hospitals where they require additional around-the-clock supervision from dedicated guards.
On a larger scale, understaffing regularly leads to reduced programming, which curtails the amount of education, counseling and other activities aimed at shortening sentences and ensuring successful release.
Read ArticleMay 14, 2025
New Idaho corrections director talks staffing, rehabilitation, and firing squad plans
Bree Derrick is now at the helm of Idaho’s prison system, stepping into a key leadership role as the department navigates operational changes and policy shifts. Derrick says Idaho has taken a different approach, prioritizing staff retention and encouraging officers to lead with respect.
“They approach the work with humanity first and foremost. That's really key for us,” she said.
“We're one of the only states who've kind of solved the correctional officer staffing crisis. We were down nearly 300 positions about two years ago. [Now], we have had lower than a 5% vacancy rate for almost 18 months.”
Read Article