Correctional officers perceive increased threat levels
Overcrowding in Illinois prisons is causing an increased level of danger for corrections officers, according to a union representative.
In the wake of numerous correctional facilities being closed over the last several years, the correctional officers who staff the prisons that remain open believe they are under a much greater threat to their safety. As well, the increase in the numbers of inmates at the facilities is actually putting the inmates at greater risk of personal violence, according to Ty Petersen union staff representative with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31.
"There is a definite lack of manpower resources in the Illinois prison system," Petersen said.
Petersen explained that the correction officers are at risk at all times in their work, whether in a youth facility such as Harrisburg is home to, or at a maximum security adult facility. Overcrowding of inmates, manifesting itself primarily in lack of bed space and living space in the prisons, is a main factor in the increased level of danger. Correctional officers are unarmed, Petersen explained, with only a radio for protection.
Petersen is a 20-year veteran of the corrections system, having worked in adult prison facilities in Southern Illinois. As to the Illinois Youth Center facility in Harrisburg, Petersen feels that the situation is currently manageable.
"They are sitting pretty good at Harrisburg," Petersen said. "But the possibility is there for serious problems."
Petersen pointed out that the correctional officers carry no weapons at all at the Harrisburg facility and only three or four officers each shift had access to pepper spray in the event of a serious disturbance. When asked about how officers are supposed to respond to a large, violent disturbance in a correction facility, Petersen paused before answering.
"That's a problem," he said.
Petersen said Illinois prisons are in a transition of policy as to how officers are to respond to an outbreak of violence. After some six years of preparation of a new policy, only in the last several weeks are frontline staff receiving training in the new policy. Basically, in responding to an incident involving large scale violence, officers must make split second decisions as to their personal safety and the safety of the inmates in responding to the situation.
"Every minute of the job as a corrections officer is a judgment call," Petersen said. "The union is very concerned about the safety of its members and about the safety of the inmates now."
In reference to proposed cuts to state funding under the new Governor's administration, Petersen said this is not the time to initiate measures leading to a further decrease in numbers of correctional officers or increase already overcrowded prison populations.
"We have been doing our jobs to the best of our ability," Petersen said. "We (the union) were very concerned about the situation before, not even taking into account proposed new funding cuts."