ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Maryland's corrections chief says addressing concerns about low staffing at state prisons has been his top priority.
Robert Green outlined efforts to hire correctional officers during a hearing Friday before lawmakers on the House Appropriations Committee.
Lawmakers have expressed concerns about safety conditions due to low staffing, as well as $129 million in overtime costs last year.
Green says more than 600 new employees were hired last year, and 267 of them a correctional officers.
He says it's going to take time to “dig out of the hole,” but that he's committed to turning the situation around.
