Protecting 612 Correctional Peace Officers' Jobs

By Tracy Hubbartt
AZCPOA Vice President
AZCOPS Secretary

AZCPOA has reviewed recommendations specific to ADC's budget. We've noted the suggested $25.5 million move to increase the officer to inmate ratio from the current 5.91 to 1 to a 6.7 to 1.

Arizona, like every other state in our nation is suffering a huge budget shortfall. Crime costs us all money. We cannot support risking officer safety or that of the public as well as the inmate population by having fewer officers in our prisons.

The plan quotes The American Correctional Association (ACA) as an authority in determination of the appropriate officer to inmate ratio, as of September 30, 2006, inmate to CO ratios ranged from 3.0 to 1 in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, to 10.4 to 1 in Idaho. Arizona's ratio at the time was 6.0 to 1. Overall, the average inmate to CO ratio for all reporting states is 6.7 to 1. (The statement should reflect that as of September 30, 2006 Overall, the average inmate to CO ratio for all reporting states was 6.7 to 1)

The plan concludes that based on 2006 information, the appropriate ratio is the average of 6.7 to 1. We respectfully object to the methodology in arriving at this conclusion, as it is limited to number of staff only, and does not include more up-to-date Bureau of Justice Statistics, reflecting that Arizona's inmate population is currently 14% over the 2006 average inmate population as of 2008. Today, Arizona incarcerates 39,661 convicted felons, 25% over the 2006 average inmate population nationwide. 

Our inmate population has increased since 2006, and a dollar doesn't buy the same amount of fuel for your car that it did in 2006. Again, crime costs us all, and Arizona has the 10th largest prison population in the country. Using the same reasoning that the JLBC proclaims, our ratio should be a ratio of 5.02 to 1, or a total of 7,932 Correctional Officers, rather than our current 5,279 or the proposed reduction to 4,667. It's irresponsible to let the public believe they are safe from convicted felons with fewer staff to ensure they stay in prison. 

The Arizona JLBC Proposals can be viewed at 
http://azleg.gov/jlbc/10chairmenoptions/44.pdf

The Bureau of Justice Statistics can be viewed at http://ojp.usdog.gov/bjs/abstract/p07.htm

The Current ADC Daily Population can be viewed at 
http://azcorrections.gov/adc/reports/count_sheet.asp

The Arizona Correctional Peace Officers Association has a strong history of protecting your interests in your workplace before issues become issues. 

For more information, contact Tracy Hubbartt or AZCOPS Director of Government Relations Luis Ebratt.

This article is for informational purposes only. AZCOPS is working to protect all of our members.