***EDIT 8:30 a.m. 8/8/2023***
We were contacted by the Dane County Sheriff’s Office who informed us that they don’t employ jail officers.
Elise Schaffer, the Public Information and Education Officer with the Sheriff’s Office explained, “We hire deputies, all of whom start in the jail. This is not a new process.”
She also noted, “Our recruitment efforts involve offering better pay, a lateral transfer program, and educational incentives.”
Seehafer News apologizes for the error.
***Original Story***
County Jails in Wisconsin are facing staffing shortages.
The Marathon County Jail, which can typically hold 279 inmates, has been forced to transport inmates to other jails because they simply do not have the staff to supervise that many inmates.
The number of county jail officers has fallen to less than 3,500 at the end of June, causing many county jails to be understaffed.
Counties are now trying to find solutions to staffing issues, but a lack of interest in law enforcement careers of this type makes it hard to recruit.
The Dane County Sheriffs’ Office has even started requiring new deputies to start work as jail officers before moving to more desired positions.
The more common approach is to raise the starting wage, many counties have raised the rate by $3 an hour.
While staffing shortages continue, recruiting efforts for jail officers have majorly increased.
