The Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC) is facing a $53 million budget shortfall due to high overtime payouts, creating concerns for legislative Democrats as they work to address the issue before the start of the next fiscal year. The agency attributes the large overtime payouts to staffing shortages, obstacles in expanding its workforce, and a collective bargaining agreement that allows officers to work long hours. The agency is awaiting the results of a staffing study that will guide efforts to address the issue in the future. The governor’s office has implemented a new pay plan and initiated an audit into NDOC overtime requests.
Democratic lawmakers expressed frustration at the timing of the budget shortfall revelation, criticizing the agency for not taking sufficient action to address staffing problems. The NDOC has historically struggled with overtime payouts, with recent years seeing significant increases in spending on overtime due to staffing shortages. Efforts are being made to reduce overtime payouts by cutting programs for inmates and visitation for families.
Legislators approved funding for a staffing study expected to be completed by June, but Democrats expressed frustration at the prolonged timeline. NDOC Director James Dzurenda acknowledged the long-standing issue of overtime payouts and expects the results of the study to provide valuable insights into addressing the staffing problem. The situation highlights ongoing challenges faced by the NDOC in maintaining safe ratios of officers to prisoners and ensuring the humane treatment of inmates.
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