Staff are the most costly and important resource in operating a jail. In many jails, staffing costs make up 70 to 80 percent of the annual budget. Without adequate staffing, jail security and the safety of staff, inmates, and the community are directly threatened and the possibility of costly litigation against the jail increases significantly. Adequate staffing is key to the success of all jail operations, whether related to security, safety, inmate services, or inmate programs.

Staffing analysis is a complex process that takes into account many factors, such as jail design, activity schedules, and the types and levels of services provided to inmates. This course is designed to teach jail practitioners how to determine their staffing needs in a systematic and easily understood way. Users will find the program helpful in creating a staffing plan for a new jail, analyzing staffing in an operating jail, and revisingan existing staffing plan in response to changes in jail policies or the physical plant.

Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Conduct a comprehensive 10-step staffing analysis process.
• Profile the jail.
• Calculate net annual work hours.
• Develop a facility activity schedule.
• Develop a staff coverage plan.
• Complete a staff summary.
• Develop a schedule.
• Evaluate, revise, and improve the plan.
• Calculate operational costs.
• Prepare a report.
• Implement the plan and monitor the results.

Audience

Administrators and administrative staff from all corrections disciplines who are responsible for managing their agency’s human and/or fiscal resources.