Monroe Correctional Officer Donald Kubik, who is a Teamster Local 773 Chief Steward, confronted the county commissioners about the distressing work conditions at the prison.

Kubik said letters were sent by officers, but none were answered.

“I know you guys are well aware that we’re facing a major staffing crisis, and with facility shortages, it’s worse than I’ve seen in my 17 years. We’ve got officers that are being mandated for three 17-hour days in a row having one regular eight-hour day and then being mandated for another three 17-hour days in row to the point where we’ve had an officer fall asleep on the way home and crash,” he said.

Commissioners told him to request a meeting with Warden Garry Haidle, which he did.

“As soon as we walked into that meeting, the warden was immediately agitated, like you could tell he was, you know, pretty heated because of whatever came down from the commissioners’ meeting,” Kubik said.

Usually one or two stewards come to the meetings. “Well, seven of us showed up to this meeting because we have a lot of issues to discuss, but because the warden stormed out we didn’t accomplish anything,” Kubik said.

Another meeting

He first attended the commissioners meeting July 20, but he said nothing was resolved so he returned this week with several other COs.

“We’re the ones who are behind those walls that see it every day, you guys don’t,” he said.

Kubik said the union workers are in the process of doing another no-confidence vote for their safety, Of those who voted, 100% of the respondents replied with a no-confidence vote.

“You guys can have all the confidence you want when you sit behind the desks. We’re the ones behind the prison walls, and we are coming to you because the warden is not taking the steps to do anything,” he said. “We’re supposed to have 122 officers in the building or a total complement. But we have 96 total officers and that’s counting people who are out on workers’ comp injuries and people who are out on active military duty,” Kubik said.

“What happens if a fight breaks out or a prisoner stabs a guard in the neck, or a prisoner starts bashing in another inmate’s skull? Without enough officers to respond, one or more officers could be killed or seriously hurt,” he said.

Kubik said some work three 17-hour days in a row under unsafe conditions, with understaffed units, or working a unit with double murderers and rapists when there are not enough people to respond to help.

Kubik handed stacks of emails to Commissioner John Moyer from workers who have contacted commissioners over a two-year period, asking for help.

“I guess the easiest way to say it is it’s still under discussion, Mr. Kubik,” Moye replied.

“We have every confidence in Warden Garry Haidle and Deputy Warden of Security Joseph McCoy,” Moyer replied.

An email on July 9 from Officer Andrew Hero reiterated what Kubik said. He said he is speaking for all when he says that everyone is burned out and being treated unfairly.

“All off us have lives to live outside of here. Many of us are providers for our families, caretakers for our disabled loved ones, and struggling to live a life outside of the jail.

When I went in for my third consecutive mandate and heard my son ask if Daddy was to going to jail forever, the emotional pain I felt that day was strong enough to make me want to walk out, but I knew I had to stay for my family,” Hero wrote.

Haidle’s response

Haidle said, “I feel it is unprofessional to debate Officer Kubik’s allegations point by point.”

He did detail steps being taken.

“The approved officer complement is 122, currently there are 100 officers staffed. Of that 100, 12 officers are either on workers’ comp, medical or military leave. Shortages are covered by officers working overtime. Some volunteer and some have to be mandated to cover these shortages.”

The prison now allows officers to sign up for overtime to cover half rather than full shifts, which has helped with coverage.

He said officers testing and interviews have been conducted monthly basis for the last three months and will continue for at least the next two months.

Advertising has been increased by continually posting the ad through the internet sites and utilizing digital billboards at high trafficked roadways in the county.

The facility is accredited by the Department of Corrections to conduct an in-house training academy.

Normally the facility has two to three training academies conducted per year. This year the facility is currently in its fifth academy and has two more scheduled.

“We could hire more staff with lowering our standards but we have chosen to follow the same guidelines in hiring that we used the last five years. I am hopeful with these plans in motion the staffing numbers will be close to the compliment before the end of the year,” Haidle said.

He said, the openings are covered by overtime that is posted and approved in advance.

“The shortage issue arises when the officers report off sick or go home early on their scheduled shift.”

An all-call notification system automatically telephone officers notifying them of openings that are available. “Modifications are made to the daily operations when these staffing issues develop to maintain the safety and security of the facility,” Haidle said.

Inmate programs and activities continue as long as they can be conducted in a secure and safe manner. “My priority has always been the safety and security of the staff, inmates and the facility as a whole. And this will continue by maintaining the correctional facility’s 100% compliance for the past seven years” in accordance to the Pennsylvania State Department of Corrections.”

He concluded by saying communication and dedication of all staff “will be the solution for this dilemma that is facing all correctional facilities state and nationwide.”

For several months Haidle has reported to the prison board that job candidates are being hired by neighboring counties that pay more than Monroe does.