OVERWORKED EMPLOYEES LEAD TO UNSAFE CONDITIONS

The lack of leadership at Connecticut Juvenile Training School has become a health and safety issue for residents – employees. When there are gaps in CJTS working schedule management must fill them; YSOS might be called upon to work overtime for the good of the facility [ called being forced ]. Rumors are spreading that over the weekend at least seven YSOs worked their regular 8 hour shift, then two more shifts. All of this occurred due to gaps in the scheduling process or people not coming to work. What intrigues this staff writer is how personal safety is compromised due to being overworked. Being responsible for incarcerated residents at CJTS is a burden that would try the patience of Biblical character Job. When you do not have enough sleep, reflexes or thought process are not sharp. However CJTS management not only put these forced workers at risk but residents too. Let me be clear. Seven YSOs worked three shifts straight and were expected to perform duties with high risk youth.

Let me add that management even utilized employees of the Boys and Girls Club [ there is a branch at CJTS facility ] to work on Units. Now it is necessary for readers to understand Boys and Girls Club employees are not trained to work with incarcerated CJTS youth nor participate in any physical restraints. People hired as YSOs are trained to restrain and keep people safe in case of disruptive situations. Who is responsible for allowing untrained workers to be placed on Units at CJTS? More importantly is this situation a further indication of how out of control things are at CJTS plantation? For years lack of quality leadership at the plantation placed employees – residents in precarious positions. Now all of this dysfunctional activity finally has been revealed for public scrutiny and reflection.

To makes matters even worse so many people were forced into excessive overtime that 3rd shift had one worker per Unit. And this is clearly not safe considering Units can house 10-15 residents.