By: Patrick Damp/KDKA-TV
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — Concerns about staffing and inmate safety were the topics of discussion at an Allegheny County Jail Board of Supervisors hearing.
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However, frustrations grew because some board members as well as Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald were not at the hearing.
The president of the prison officers’ union said there was a crisis at the prison due to staffing issues.
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“We have 28 officers who are one year old and they have over 1,700 overtime in the last month, 1,700 overtime,” said Brin Englert, the union president. “It’s 70 hours a month.”
“People are dying, people are sick, people are losing their legs in prison and we have officers who act as medical personnel,” said Tanisha Long, a local activist.
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Next week, Allegheny County is hosting a virtual job fair and there are at least 44 job openings.