Bermúdez Holds Hearing on Dept of Corrections

ASSEMBLY MEMBER BERMÚDEZ HOLDS HEARING ON THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND REHABILITATION’S HIRING AND STAFFING PRACTICES

Corrections’ officials were asked to explain policies related to the hiring and staffing needs at the Department of Corrections. Assembly Member Bermudez asked for updates and efforts to fill existing vacancies that create unsafe and unhealthy working environments.

Assembly Member Rudy Bermúdez held a hearing of the Select Committee on Prison Construction and Operations today focusing on the efforts of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s hiring and staffing practices. The hearing focused on filling vacancies within the Department.

Today’s hearing was held to gain a better understanding of how the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is working to fill current vacancies within the Department. “Although my initial focus of today’s hearing was on the vacancy rates of Corrections Officers, it was clear from witnesses who came forth to testify that there is a Department wide problem in staffing”, Bermudez stated.

Representatives of the CDCR tried to explain the discrepancies highlighted in the hearing on the actual number of vacancies as it relates to Corrections Officer positions. Ms. Joyce Hayhoe, Deputy Secretary in the Department of Corrections, was asked to explain why the Department publishes different vacancy rates in public and internal documents.

I believe it is very important that the Department publish accurate and timely figures to get a better understanding to the real problems the Department faces in its vacancies. Today I heard testimony from Department representatives on how they determine and account for vacancies. I was not impressed,” stated Bermúdez.

Other witnesses included representatives of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA), Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD) who testified about the vacancy rates in their particular fields.

Today the Committee learned that there is an alarming number of vacancies in programs, services and staff the Department needs in order to fulfill its mission of Rehabilitation. Witnesses submitted testimony that highlighted a 30% vacancy rate in the number of educators and a 25% vacancy rate in the number of registered nurses.

Testimony today also provided insight on how the lack of staffing is potentially endangering public safety. Psychiatric reports that provide police and sheriffs with invaluable insight on inmates are not getting done due to the lack of staff. This information is crucial for local law enforcement to better protect themselves from violent parolees.

Given today’s testimony, it is obvious to me that further hearings of the Select Committee need to be scheduled to look at the Department’s programming and staff vacancies. This includes not only custody staff but healthcare providers, education and non-custody staff positions”, stated Bermúdez.

The Bureau of State Audits in its July 2002 audit on the Department of Corrections noted a high number of vacancies for Corrections Officers. Although the Department has changed its name nothing else has changed since then. The Department is still operating with a high number of vacancies”, stated Bermúdez.

Assemblymember Bermúdez plans to hold future hearings of the Select Committee on staffing needs across the Department as noted in today’s hearings.

The Committee is not done with this issue. Understaffing undermines the ability of the Department to fully rehabilitate prisoners returning to the general public. The lack of doctors, nurses, teachers and corrections officers makes it difficult for the Department to provide the necessary programs and services and most importantly safe working environment for necessary rehabilitation”, concluded Bermúdez.