Staffing shortages are plaguing a violent federal prison in West Virginia where gangster James “Whitey” Bulger was killed in 2018 and where 30 knives were found this month.
U.S. Penitentiary Hazelton has a total of 72 officer vacancies, representing about 16% of its full staff, according to agency records cited by USA Today.
That’s led to officers being required to work extra shifts, such as the three who were working mandatory overtime when 30 knives were seized — including seven linked to one inmate — on Jan. 12.
“When you are running on fumes, you don’t pick up on how inmates are passing weapons and drugs,” an officer who worked the shift with the large weapons seizure told USA Today.