For the past several months, Orange County Corrections has FAILED to fill numerous Corrections Officer positions. Due to the lack of pay, benefits, working resources, and support from the management team, more and more Officers are leaving Orange County Corrections to go to a different agency, where they feel more supported. This extreme shortage of Correctional Staff has resulted in Officers being forced to work an exorbitant amount of overtime. The failure to fill these positions is jeopardizing the health, safety, and welfare of our floor officers and immediate supervisors as well as the safety of the Correctional Facility. 

Correctional Officers face a constant risk of being assaulted or maimed by inmates turning common objects into unconventional weapons. Officers must remain constantly vigilant for such threats, which boost their physical and mental stress. Correctional officers suffer the second highest mortality rate of any occupation, according to statistics posted by the Maine Department of Public Safety. Another study published by the Department of Justice (DOJ) stated that the life expectancy of a correctional officer is only 59 years, instead of 75 years for the national average (NCJ Number 85591). Furthermore, stress, as manifested in many physical illnesses including hypertension, heart attacks, and ulcers, was found to be higher than that of a comparable sample of police officers. Correctional employees experience some of the highest rates of mental illnesses, sleep disorders, and physical health issues of all U.S. workers.

WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE ANY MORE VALUABLE OFFICERS. Correctional Officers put their lives on the line every day for Orange County and its citizens. Therefore, they deserve better pay, better benefits, better resources, and better sincere support in order to perform their daily duties, safely and effectively. Orange County Correctional Officers deserves better from the County!

Please join us in supporting our Corrections Officers by signing our online petition which will be presented to Mayor Demmings and the Board of Commissioners urging them to address these issues. Thank you and please share this petition to show your support.