Bowie Jail Cutting Workers' Hours
By: Mario Boone
Updated: August 28, 2009
45 correctional officers will have their hours slashed to cut costs at the Bowie County Jail. Officials say the cutbacks are due to a drop from 700 inmates to 300 in recent weeks. Bowie County Judge James Carlow says the cutbacks are temporary. A high ranking official with the private management company Community Education Centers tells NBC 6 affected workers will keep their benefits. They will be eligible for fulltime status once nearly 500 inmates arrive at the jail from Houston.
Bowie Sheriff James Prince says safety will not be compromised as a result of workers' reduced hours. Prince says the staff reductions will only be for areas of the jail where the inmate population has dropped. A correctional officer who didn't want to be identified told NBC 6 most of the affected workers will seek other employment. Carlow says the furloughed workers should be back fulltime in about 4 weeks.
Bowie Sheriff James Prince says safety will not be compromised as a result of workers' reduced hours. Prince says the staff reductions will only be for areas of the jail where the inmate population has dropped. A correctional officer who didn't want to be identified told NBC 6 most of the affected workers will seek other employment. Carlow says the furloughed workers should be back fulltime in about 4 weeks.
