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Nevada prisons are suffering critical staffing shortages

prison, high desert state prison, nevada
AP Photo/John Locher

High Desert State Prison in Indian Springs, Nev.

Nevada’s prison system is nearing a crisis point.  

During a recent Board of Prison Commissioners meeting, officials with the Department of Corrections told state leaders that nearly one-in-four corrections positions in the department were currently vacant.  

At the same time, remaining staff and the correctional officers in prisons are working 12-14 hours shifts, six or seven days a week. Like many who have worked tirelessly over the past two years, they’re burnt out and it’s taking a toll on the whole system.

Jodi Hocking, Founder, Return Strong: Families United for Justice for the Incarcerated

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Paul serves as KNPR's producer and reporter in Northern Nevada. Based in Reno, Paul specializes in politics, covering the state legislature as well as national issues' effect in Nevada.
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