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
July 13, 2025
Chronic Understaffing Fuels Correctional Officer Burnout and Safety Risks
SPSC mention - The prison staffing crisis in the United States has reached alarming levels, with severe consequences for correctional officers, incarcerated individuals, and their families, according to the Safer Prisons, Safer Communities organization. Across the nation, state prisons are dangerously understaffed and overwhelmed with incarcerated people, creating unsafe conditions that extend beyond the prison walls.
Safer Prisons, Safer Communities emphasized that due to staffing shortages, rehabilitation mandates are almost impossible to achieve. These mandates are often carried out with stopgap measures such as reassigning teachers, social workers and counselors to perform security duties. These measures further strain the system by placing untrained staff in roles they are unprepared for, compromising both safety and rehabilitation efforts.
Read ArticleJuly 11, 2025
‘Band-Aid on the problem’: Past raises haven’t fully solved Wisconsin prison staffing problems
Responding to staffing shortages that imperiled guards and staff, Wisconsin lawmakers in 2023 significantly increased pay for corrections officers — hoping to retain and attract more workers to the grueling job.
It helped, at least initially. But following significant progress, staffing vacancies are again growing in many Wisconsin prisons. The data support a common complaint from correctional officers and their supporters: The Department of Corrections and the Legislature must do more to retain officers in the long run. Improving training, safety and workplace culture would help, they say.
Read ArticleJuly 9, 2025
You can see the steam off the ground': Wisconsin slow to add cooling system in prisons despite rising heat
Despite pledges, the Department of Corrections has made progress installing air cooling systems in only one facility of the seven it had promised.
The stifling temperatures can mean dangerous conditions for correctional staff and prisoners, contributing to medical emergencies and potentially violating prisoners' Constitutional rights, a situation that can result in lawsuits that leave taxpayers responsible for legal payouts.
Read Article