AUSTIN, Tx -- (DMJ) - The American Federation of State County Municipal Employees Local 3807 has conducted a study of correctional officer shortages and vacancies in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, ending in the month of May 31, 2008. Results of
our study found the following:

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is currently authorized to have 26,308 fulltime officers. As of May 31, 2008 the agency had 21,921 fulltime officers on the units. This leaves a balance of 4,387 fulltime correctional officer positions not staffed on the prison units.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice at the end of May 31, 2008 had 2,042 correctional officers on FMLA / non-FMLA leave status. 735 correctional officers were on leave without pay (LWOP) and not included in the 21,921 fulltime positions filled.

As of May 31,2008 1,307 correctional officers were out on FMLA / Non-FMLA leave status still on the payroll, this left TDCJ Prison Units understaffed by a total of 5,694 fulltime correctional officers.

As of May 31, 2008 the Texas Department of Criminal Justice had 539 part time correctional officer positions and 689.5 correctional officers in TDCJ academies.

As of May 31, 2008 with part time correctional positions being counted towards fulltime positions and the 1,307 officers on leave status, this leaves TDCJ with a balance of 5,424.5 fulltime correctional officer positions not on TDCJ prison units.

Conclusion of our research shows that 5,424.5 fulltime positions are not being staffed on TDCJ prison units as of May 31, 2008.
 

Possible results of declining TDCJ Professional Correctional Officers:

Violent serious assaults have increased 52% between 2001 and 2007 among offenders. (based on ratios per 10,000 offenders)

Violent serious assaults have increased 19 % on staff members between 2001 and 2007. (based on ratios per 10,000 offenders)

A July 2005 Federal study done by the US Bureau of Justice Statistics on the 2003 Prison Rape Elimination Act found that Texas led the nation in the number of prison rapes with 550 rapes out of a total of 1,229 for all states.

Reduced screening and quality control in the correctional officer hiring process. Between 2000 and 2006 employee arrest increased 26%. (based on staff ratios per 10,000 offenders)

Offender suicides increased 82% between 2003 and 2007. (based on ratios per 10,000 offenders)

Offender escapes by person increased 300% between 2001 and 2007. (based on ratios per 10,000 offenders)

Between 2002 and 2007 offender accidental deaths increased 300%. (based on ratios per 10,000 offenders)

Between 2001 and 2007 the total Emergency Action Incidents reported increased 45%. (based on ratios per 10,000 offenders)