Nearly all of Maine’s county jails say they’re understaffed

Virtually all of Maine’s 15 county jails say they’re understaffed, and a few are lacking greater than half of the workers they are saying they should totally function.

The issues are particularly dire on the York County Jail, which is understaffed by 65%. Knox County experiences that staffing is down 60%, and Cumberland County down 47%.

The Penobscot County Jail is lacking practically one-third of the employees it must function, in response to the information that the Maine Sheriffs Affiliation offered to a particular committee, which is learning whether or not residents in state prisons, county jails and different correctional amenities in Maine can confidentially talk with their attorneys because the structure requires.

Sheriffs Affiliation President Dale Lancaster mentioned county jails are stretched to their limits. The Somerset County Jail that he oversees simply misplaced two employees members earlier this week.

“On the time of this reporting, I used to be unfilled at 44%,” he instructed the Fee to Guarantee Constitutionally Enough Contact with Counsel, which met once more Wednesday. “And I had two stroll off final evening, in order that simply will increase that quantity.”

Just one jail in Maine, the Waldo County Correctional Facility, reported that it was totally staffed.