DECATUR, Ala. — As many places are hiring here in North Alabama, Morgan County Sheriff's Office is one of them. They're looking to fill positions for corrections officers and they say it takes a unique individual to do the job.
Mike Swafford, the public information officer for Morgan County Sheriff's Office, says this job is, "basically law enforcement, EMT and pro-wrestler all wrapped in one at times…"
But Swafford says just as other law enforcement agencies are struggling to fill certain positions, so are they.
"It's just hard to get people, keep people. And, you know, it's just a battle that, you know, other places, other agencies share as well."
He continues to say, "not as many people are signing up to be in law enforcement and want to work in a jail. You know…not everybody wants to do it or not everybody could do it."
He says they're always looking for 10 to 15 corrections officers.
"If we didn't have corrections officers, it would be chaos, you know, because we have 700-750 inmates that have to be monitored and maintained, you know, 24 hours a day…."
Swafford adds that corrections officers take on a lot of responsibilities for both the facility as well as the safety of the inmates.
"They're in charge with the care, custody and control of the facility. And that means making sure that inmates aren't harming other inmates, making sure that things aren't being brought in the jails that aren't supposed to be here…"
If you go on their website you'll see two corrections officer job listings that show a base pay of $17.30 an hour - which is an increased rate since previous years.
Swafford encourages individuals who meet the qualifications and have an interest in this field, to apply.
"You have to be thick-skinned…it's about being civic minded, wanting to give back to the community, wanting to be part of the community…"
They're also looking to hire some deputies at this time but Swafford wants to emphasize that although there are shortages in these positions, "none of the shifts run short. You know, it involves other people picking up shifts. It involves over-time. But as far as the jail itself...every shift that's here is fully staffed."
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