Union Disputes Correctional Staffing Issues

Patrick Moran Council 3 AFSCME President  and Local 1772 President Sgt. John Feeley, said at press conference on Tuesday that a critical staffing crisis is driving up homicides and assaults behind prison walls. The AFSCME union leaders say that understaffing causes operational friction, program cancellations, forced double shifts, and severe safety risks, while alleging that the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services is misrepresenting staffing data. In response, DPSCS defended its operations, noting it hired 684 officers last year. The department added it acknowledges the union’s concerns and remains committed to working together on solutions.