A bill approved today by the state House could help the state Department of Corrections address a staff shortage.
The bill would allow recently retired corrections officers to return to work on a temporary basis. They would be allowed to collect a state paycheck while still collecting their pension checks.
“You know, I didn’t want to go back. I’ve retired for a reason. However, I understand the safety concerns for the communities, for the inmates, and for the corrections officers that are still in there working.” said Republican Representative Julie Alexander who represents Jackson County, which has four state prisons. She says a lot of former corrections officers have told her they’d like to help out. She gives some examples of what they’ve said.
Alexander says it’s a short-term solution while the corrections department tries to recruit hundreds of people to serve as officers.
