Prison budget
The DOC is requesting approximately $50 million in the next year to cover overtime costs. Meanwhile, Gov. Ayotte has cut 54 DOC positions and $27 million from their budget.
Explain to me how that makes sense. People forget that the same squalid conditions the prisoners live in is the work environment for the staff. The correctional officers are merely babysitters with power and tasers. Other prisons in this country have reformed the way they do things including better vetting and better training. Currently, the requirement in the state for correctional officers is nine weeks of paramilitary training. Other places require two year college classes with emphasis more on social work. The officers are more involved with the prisoners and work on setting up programs and assisting with transitions to the outside world. This would cost a lot less than the $50 million in overtime and cut down on recidivism. Give the correctional officers a career and not a job which would retain staff and make the environment better for everyone.
There needs to be a review and update of policies which would also save money. The commissioner is trying his best to hold it together but how can that happen unless he gets the support he needs from the state? “When you know better, you do better.” We know better, so now insist that your state does better.