Texas Prison Guard Shortage Spurs Safety Concerns
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Texas Prison Guard Shortage Spurs Safety Concerns
Texas prison guards are expressing safety concerns about the effect of a shortage of correctional officers in state prison units.
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(January 10, 2008)--Some Texas correctional officers are worried that their jobs are becoming too dangerous because of a shortage of guards.

A coalition of the guards released a letter to legislative leaders warning of "real concerns about the safety and well-being of our prison agency."

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has about 83 percent of the correctional officers it needs.

At least 14 state prisons were operating with 75 percent or fewer of their guard positions filled at the end of November.

The agency shuttered part of the Dalhart Unit in the Panhandle because of a shortage of guards.

Department officials say staffing shortages are an increasing problem but security at Texas' 112 prisons remains adequate.

They said low pay is a primary obstacle to hiring guards.

The officers say they plan to ask the Legislature for a pay raise.

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