Safer Prisons. Safer Communities.
@saferprisonssafercommunities.org
Raising awareness and addressing the interconnected crises of understaffing, overcrowding, and poor conditions in our nation’s prisons. https://saferprisonssafercommunities.org/
During prison lockdowns, people lose access to visitation, recreation, education, therapy, religious services, showers, and legal resources. CT prisons have been heavily relying on lockdowns as a stopgap for staffing shortages. Read the @ctinsider.bsky.social story for more. bit.ly/4qZz97q
'Recurring failures' in CT prison system threaten health, safety of inmates and staff, report says
The shortcomings affect staff as well as inmates, the state ombudsman said in the report.
www.ctinsider.com
February 18, 2026 at 6:14 PM
During prison lockdowns, people lose access to visitation, recreation, education, therapy, religious services, showers, and legal resources. CT prisons have been heavily relying on lockdowns as a stopgap for staffing shortages. Read the @ctinsider.bsky.social story for more. bit.ly/4qZz97q
Two Mississippi prisons recently temporarily lost power amid freezing temps from a winter storm, @mississippitoday.org reports. With too few staff, prisons often struggle to address temperature complaints, manage failing HVAC systems, or supply blankets and winter clothing. https://bit.ly/4qMpZdS
Two Mississippi prisons temporarily lose power in winter storm - Mississippi Today
The winter storm that pushed through the state Saturday and Sunday temporarily knocked out power at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman and Delta Correctional Facility in Greenwood.
bit.ly
February 15, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Two Mississippi prisons recently temporarily lost power amid freezing temps from a winter storm, @mississippitoday.org reports. With too few staff, prisons often struggle to address temperature complaints, manage failing HVAC systems, or supply blankets and winter clothing. https://bit.ly/4qMpZdS
Staffing shortages and mandatory overtime are straining officers and facilities in NJ – and across the country. “It’s the worst I’ve ever seen in 35 years,” Andy Potter, Founder and Executive Director of SPSC campaign partner One Voice United told @nj.com. https://bit.ly/4bDGpRS
N.J. prisons battling worst staffing crisis in decades. Guards say they’re in constant danger.
Assaults are up. Staff are leaving. And New Jersey’s prisons are struggling to keep up.
www.nj.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Staffing shortages and mandatory overtime are straining officers and facilities in NJ – and across the country. “It’s the worst I’ve ever seen in 35 years,” Andy Potter, Founder and Executive Director of SPSC campaign partner One Voice United told @nj.com. https://bit.ly/4bDGpRS
New data from the Safe Inside Project shows that many state prisons are now less safe and more expensive to run than they were five years ago. Chronic understaffing is also driving violence, burnout, and instability across corrections systems nationwide. Read the full report: https://bit.ly/4rzCKsS
Safe Inside - Workforce Trends in State Departments of Corrections
Safe Inside is a national initiative that combines research and operational insight to improve working and living conditions in state correctional systems. Safe Inside focuses on trends in the correct...
safeinsideproject.org
February 11, 2026 at 6:07 PM
New data from the Safe Inside Project shows that many state prisons are now less safe and more expensive to run than they were five years ago. Chronic understaffing is also driving violence, burnout, and instability across corrections systems nationwide. Read the full report: https://bit.ly/4rzCKsS
“Our [prison] staffing situation is dire and it’s dangerous. Dangerous to my staff, dangerous to the people in my custody, and dangerous to the people of North Carolina.” - Leslie Cooley Dismukes, secretary of the state Department of Adult Correction via @ncnewsline.com. https://bit.ly/4qB7Pwa
Budget stalemate contributes to 'dire' conditions in NC prisons, agency leader says • NC Newsline
NC prisons are so understaffed that they're dangerous, the head of the state prison system told state lawmakers Thursday. Low starting pay makes it hard to hire.
bit.ly
February 9, 2026 at 9:54 PM
“Our [prison] staffing situation is dire and it’s dangerous. Dangerous to my staff, dangerous to the people in my custody, and dangerous to the people of North Carolina.” - Leslie Cooley Dismukes, secretary of the state Department of Adult Correction via @ncnewsline.com. https://bit.ly/4qB7Pwa
Despite facing comparable risks, federal correctional officers earn significantly less than other federal law enforcement personnel. A newly introduced bipartisan bill aims to close that gap with a 35% pay increase. Read more: @corrections1.bsky.social. https://bit.ly/4kc5ndj
Bipartisan bill proposes 35% pay increase for federal correctional officers
The Federal Correctional Officer Paycheck Protection Act aims to improve staffing, reduce burnout and enhance safety in federal prisons
bit.ly
February 5, 2026 at 9:49 PM
Despite facing comparable risks, federal correctional officers earn significantly less than other federal law enforcement personnel. A newly introduced bipartisan bill aims to close that gap with a 35% pay increase. Read more: @corrections1.bsky.social. https://bit.ly/4kc5ndj
Chronic understaffing at Nevada prisons isn’t just a personnel issue – it’s a budget and health care problem. Staffing shortages caused a $53M state deficit last year and forced two rural facilities to outsource their medical care, @thenvindy.com reports. https://bit.ly/4c7tuHV
Two Nevada rural prisons have ‘critical labor shortage,’ state determines - The Nevada Independent
The Tuesday decision from the state Board of Examiners will allow Ely State Prison and Lovelock Correctional Center to bring back retired state workers to fill the vacant positions through the end of ...
bit.ly
February 3, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Chronic understaffing at Nevada prisons isn’t just a personnel issue – it’s a budget and health care problem. Staffing shortages caused a $53M state deficit last year and forced two rural facilities to outsource their medical care, @thenvindy.com reports. https://bit.ly/4c7tuHV
“Nobody wants to face violence or burnout in their work day, and correctional officers are no different." - NC Gov. Josh Stein on the state's prison staffing crisis in @charlotteobserver.com. Addressing pay and staffing is essential to safer prisons and communities. https://bit.ly/3ZJYdmX
With prisons understaffed, Stein urges pay raises for NC correctional officers
North Carolina has the second lowest pay of any state for correctional officers.
bit.ly
February 3, 2026 at 12:02 AM
“Nobody wants to face violence or burnout in their work day, and correctional officers are no different." - NC Gov. Josh Stein on the state's prison staffing crisis in @charlotteobserver.com. Addressing pay and staffing is essential to safer prisons and communities. https://bit.ly/3ZJYdmX
“It’s unsafe. It’s unpredictable. Recreation doesn’t happen regularly; things get canceled, the tension is higher, frustrations are higher.” - Tony Sines, a correctional officer and union leader in MD, discussing increasingly dangerous prison conditions due to understaffing. https://bit.ly/49mAgqn
Maryland correctional officers warn of rising violence, staffing crisis as 2026 approaches
As Maryland heads into 2026, correctional officers are raising urgent concerns about what they describe as increasingly dangerous and deteriorating conditions i
bit.ly
January 31, 2026 at 7:45 PM
“It’s unsafe. It’s unpredictable. Recreation doesn’t happen regularly; things get canceled, the tension is higher, frustrations are higher.” - Tony Sines, a correctional officer and union leader in MD, discussing increasingly dangerous prison conditions due to understaffing. https://bit.ly/49mAgqn
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and January is National Radon Action Month. While homes and public buildings have been tested for decades, prisons often are not – putting people who work and live in decaying facilities at serious health risk.
January 28, 2026 at 5:55 PM
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and January is National Radon Action Month. While homes and public buildings have been tested for decades, prisons often are not – putting people who work and live in decaying facilities at serious health risk.
Nearly every person in California’s prison system has documented medical or mental health needs, but many are going untreated. Despite billions in funding, vacancies in prison and state hospital health care have increased. https://bit.ly/4rteokH
California Prison Health Care Is Still Failing: Audit Exposes Dangerous Conditions Despite Billions in Funding
Job vacancies in prison and state hospital health care have grown even as California has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to fill medical and mental health positions, according to a new state audit.
bit.ly
January 26, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Nearly every person in California’s prison system has documented medical or mental health needs, but many are going untreated. Despite billions in funding, vacancies in prison and state hospital health care have increased. https://bit.ly/4rteokH
States struggling with staffing shortages and lockdowns, like MD and WI, have seen a rise in deaths. According to @afscme.bsky.social, understaffing is fueling burnout for officers and contributing to some incarcerated people being moved into less-controlled settings. https://bit.ly/4aa8gqv
Maryland prison killings rise to decade high amid staffing shortage
Thirteen incarcerated people have been killed by other prisoners this year, state officials said, marking the highest annual total in at least a decade.
bit.ly
January 24, 2026 at 8:13 PM
States struggling with staffing shortages and lockdowns, like MD and WI, have seen a rise in deaths. According to @afscme.bsky.social, understaffing is fueling burnout for officers and contributing to some incarcerated people being moved into less-controlled settings. https://bit.ly/4aa8gqv
A 2024 report by a consultant for the VA DOC found that many prisons were “dangerously understaffed,” including three prisons that were under 50% staffing at the time. Understaffing creates unsafe conditions for both corrections professionals and incarcerated people. https://bit.ly/4qEaoxE
'Headed down a dangerous path': Va. CO warned leaders of 'unsafe' conditions months before colleague was killed
A former River North Correctional Center lieutenant warned that unsafe conditions could lead to staff injuries or deaths as staffing shortages and safety lapses mounted
bit.ly
January 22, 2026 at 10:39 PM
A 2024 report by a consultant for the VA DOC found that many prisons were “dangerously understaffed,” including three prisons that were under 50% staffing at the time. Understaffing creates unsafe conditions for both corrections professionals and incarcerated people. https://bit.ly/4qEaoxE
Corrections professionals need wellness support as they work in a stressful and often traumatic profession. A new resource from our campaign partner One Voice United provides 10 practical principles for improving wellness for officers - from recruitment through retirement. https://bit.ly/4iqlfIa
Wellness Works: Principles For Building A Best-in-Class Correctional Staff Wellness Program | Safer Prisons Safer Communities
Developed with input from hundreds of correctional professionals, Wellness Works offers clear, actionable principles for creating best-in-class staff wellness programs, from recruitment through retire...
bit.ly
January 20, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Corrections professionals need wellness support as they work in a stressful and often traumatic profession. A new resource from our campaign partner One Voice United provides 10 practical principles for improving wellness for officers - from recruitment through retirement. https://bit.ly/4iqlfIa
Georgia’s prison population has grown steadily, even as officials warn of staffing shortages. Staff retention remains a challenge, and nearly two-thirds of officers now have less than three years on the job. Overcrowding and inexperience put everyone at risk. https://bit.ly/49aq3hV
Georgia prison population rising as staffing shortages persist, commissioner says
Commissioner Tyrone Oliver told lawmakers the state’s prison population grew to more than 50,600 offenders by September 2025, up from about 48,000 in 2023.
www.wjcl.com
January 14, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Georgia’s prison population has grown steadily, even as officials warn of staffing shortages. Staff retention remains a challenge, and nearly two-thirds of officers now have less than three years on the job. Overcrowding and inexperience put everyone at risk. https://bit.ly/49aq3hV
Nevada is spending tens of millions on overtime while prisons remain understaffed and unsafe. @thenvindy.com reports on a new staffing study which warns that without deeper reforms, adding staff won’t be enough to keep prisons safe for everyone who works and lives inside. https://bit.ly/49aN8B9
Outside study paints damning picture of staffing at Nevada prisons - The Nevada Independent
In a more than 230-page report, outside analysts uncovered a lack of supervisors on duty at night, possible lapses in compliance with federal requirements to reduce prison sexual assaults and yearslon...
bit.ly
January 13, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Nevada is spending tens of millions on overtime while prisons remain understaffed and unsafe. @thenvindy.com reports on a new staffing study which warns that without deeper reforms, adding staff won’t be enough to keep prisons safe for everyone who works and lives inside. https://bit.ly/49aN8B9
Correctional officers and advocates for incarcerated people in Virginia are finding common ground: understaffing and overcrowding are dangerous for everyone inside. https://bit.ly/4syFhFa
Prison officers blame understaffing for violence behind bars
Last month, two people were killed in state prisons – a corrections officer and an inmate. The union that represents COs says chronic staff shortages are to blame.
bit.ly
January 12, 2026 at 6:13 PM
Correctional officers and advocates for incarcerated people in Virginia are finding common ground: understaffing and overcrowding are dangerous for everyone inside. https://bit.ly/4syFhFa
Pope Leo XIV condemned overcrowding and the lack of educational and job programs, spotlighting a crisis that is also playing out in the U.S. Regardless of location, prison overcrowding has the same consequences: unsafe conditions, stalled rehabilitation, and broken systems. https://bit.ly/490GdsR
Pope criticizes prison overcrowding during special Mass for inmates, guards and families
Pope Leo XIV has criticized prison overcrowding during a special Mass for detainees, guards and their families.
apnews.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Pope Leo XIV condemned overcrowding and the lack of educational and job programs, spotlighting a crisis that is also playing out in the U.S. Regardless of location, prison overcrowding has the same consequences: unsafe conditions, stalled rehabilitation, and broken systems. https://bit.ly/490GdsR
Brian Koehn, CEO, Social Purpose Corrections writes for @thehill.com: When prisons are overcrowded and understaffed, every upstream failure, like untreated addiction, mental illness, and trauma, lands on correctional officers. https://bit.ly/4j3ePiv
January 8, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Brian Koehn, CEO, Social Purpose Corrections writes for @thehill.com: When prisons are overcrowded and understaffed, every upstream failure, like untreated addiction, mental illness, and trauma, lands on correctional officers. https://bit.ly/4j3ePiv
New reporting from @themarshallproject.org shows prison understaffing extends beyond correctional officers. There are shortages of nurses and mental health staff, and incarcerated people report weeks without medical attention and lapses in renewals for essential medications. https://bit.ly/3MBSHzK
Nurses Say There’s a Lack of Care at Missouri Prison, Blame Contractor
Current and former employees at Jefferson City Correctional Center say the shortage is causing unrest. They blame the state’s contractor, Centurion Health.
bit.ly
January 7, 2026 at 6:10 PM
New reporting from @themarshallproject.org shows prison understaffing extends beyond correctional officers. There are shortages of nurses and mental health staff, and incarcerated people report weeks without medical attention and lapses in renewals for essential medications. https://bit.ly/3MBSHzK
Especially during the holidays, prison understaffing keeps families apart and worsens quality of life for everyone inside. Matthew Charles of @famm.org shares his experience of spending the holidays in prison. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive #SPSC updates. https://bit.ly/4esgo5t
December 29, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Especially during the holidays, prison understaffing keeps families apart and worsens quality of life for everyone inside. Matthew Charles of @famm.org shares his experience of spending the holidays in prison. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive #SPSC updates. https://bit.ly/4esgo5t
Andy Potter, a former correctional officer and Founder and Executive Director of One Voice United, reflects on the toll mandatory overtime took on him and his family during the holidays, and how understaffing affects safety. Subscribe to our newsletter for more #SPSC updates. https://bit.ly/4esgo5t
Safer Prisons Safer Communities
Safer Prisons. Safer Communities. raises awareness to address the crises facing US prisons.
saferprisonssafercommunities.org
December 23, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Andy Potter, a former correctional officer and Founder and Executive Director of One Voice United, reflects on the toll mandatory overtime took on him and his family during the holidays, and how understaffing affects safety. Subscribe to our newsletter for more #SPSC updates. https://bit.ly/4esgo5t
Federal corrections officers are leaving for higher-paying ICE jobs, and teachers, nurses, and other staff are being forced to cover shifts. Understaffing has been linked to the deaths of at least 30 incarcerated people. Read @keribla.bsky.social's latest for @propublica.org. https://bit.ly/4at4PNa
As Federal Prisons Run Low on Food and Toilet Paper, Corrections Officers Leave in Droves for ICE
Many of the problems the agency is facing now are not new, but staff and prisoners fear an exodus of officers could make life behind bars even worse.
www.propublica.org
December 9, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Federal corrections officers are leaving for higher-paying ICE jobs, and teachers, nurses, and other staff are being forced to cover shifts. Understaffing has been linked to the deaths of at least 30 incarcerated people. Read @keribla.bsky.social's latest for @propublica.org. https://bit.ly/4at4PNa
The tragic death of officer Jeremy Hall puts a spotlight on the crisis in VA prisons: chronic understaffing, unsafe conditions, and high turnover. “The lack of staff impacts every aspect of facility operations and results in unsafe facilities," consultants wrote in 2024. https://bit.ly/4oHPImE
Union: Va. prison system ‘dangerously understaffed’ before correctional officer's death
The death of Officer Jeremy Hall at River North prison marks the first officer death by inmate since 1975 in Virginia
bit.ly
December 8, 2025 at 11:58 PM
The tragic death of officer Jeremy Hall puts a spotlight on the crisis in VA prisons: chronic understaffing, unsafe conditions, and high turnover. “The lack of staff impacts every aspect of facility operations and results in unsafe facilities," consultants wrote in 2024. https://bit.ly/4oHPImE
North Carolina’s prisons are struggling to fill correctional officer positions due to burnout, low pay, and constant overtime. When prisons are short-staffed, incarcerated individuals also experience more frequent and longer lockdowns. Read more on @theassemblync.bsky.social. https://bit.ly/49zQeiK
The New Head of N.C.’s Prisons Tries to Unwind a Staffing Quagmire
Leslie Cooley Dismukes wants to prioritize reentry and reduce recidivism. But she has to solve a staffing crisis in the prison system first.
bit.ly
November 28, 2025 at 8:51 PM
North Carolina’s prisons are struggling to fill correctional officer positions due to burnout, low pay, and constant overtime. When prisons are short-staffed, incarcerated individuals also experience more frequent and longer lockdowns. Read more on @theassemblync.bsky.social. https://bit.ly/49zQeiK