Staffing shortage puts Cook County jail on lockdown
Chronicle Media — January 12, 2016
Cook County Jail (Photo courtesy Cook County)
The Cook County Jail is on lockdown all day Tuesday because of a staffing shortage.
About 18 percent, or 142, correctional officers did not coming into work the 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. shift, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.
The officers who called off of work cited various reasons, such as illness, family situations or the weather, according to reports.
“Today, the staffing levels at the Cook County Department of Corrections (CCDOC) have dropped below the normal staffing levels which allow us to operate the facility at full operations. The CCDOC has been placed on lockdown for officer safety,” the Sheriff’s Office posted on its web site.
“While placed on lockdown inmates will be allowed movement for medical reasons, emergencies, and visitation only. Discharges will also be processed. Regular divisional movement, programs and operations will be restored as soon as staffing levels reach the normal level,” according to the statement.
The lockdown will continue until staffing levels return to normal, according to reports.
Tuesday’s number of staff call-ins is way above the normal level for the first shift, which averages in the low 80s on an average weekday, according to reports.
The jail holds about 8,500 inmates.
— Staffing shortage puts Cook County jail on lockdown —
