Worn Out
As you know, Desert Waters keeps all Ventline contacts confidential. Even if a person gives their name, the names are not written down nor given out. (The exception is cases of threat to self or others and child abuse, if you give us identifying information. Then we have to report these situations.)
However, in order to learn, Responders discuss the subjects of the contacts. We try to see how we handled them, what we could have done better or how we could be more helpful.
From our contacts it seems to me that there is a serious problem across the country. Most of the time this problem goes to the very top—the legislators who vote on budgets. This problem seems to affect all corrections, whether Federal, State, Private and County Jails. Workers in all these institutions seems to have the same problem. Because of shortage of staff, the following problems are coming up over and over on the Ventline:
Long shifts, especially after incidents
Staff being worn out and just plain tired
Mandatory overtime when other staff call in sick
NOT ENOUGH DOWNTIME
Little or no family time
Feeling unsupported
Because of feeling unsupported, feeling betrayed
Safety concerns, that inmates are running things
Staff can and are expected to be ready to go the extra mile. They do. They keep facilities secure, and this is good. The problem is that they are expected to make this happen by going the extra mile over and over, again and again.
I would not want to be a Warden or Administration head at this time. I would not want their budget problems. I would not like to watch my line staff and supervisors wearing themselves out trying so hard to make things work.
Outside of legislators “getting it,” I don’t know what the answer is other than to talk about this here and to ask you to call or write the Ventline to let off steam. We will let you rant and rave all you need or want. We know you get tired and see no way out, but call us or someone else, PLEASE.
Take Care,
The Old Screw
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