Overtime Crunch Limits Holiday Cheer

CONCORD, N.H. – The New Hampshire Department of Corrections will save money on overtime and other costs by limiting holiday visitation for the Christmas party to only young children.

Inmates with children under 18 will be able to attend a party with a cold-cut buffet and gift exchange. Corrections Commissioner Stephen Curty has limited those parties at each of four state prisons to inmates with young children.

The department pays for food at the events with recreation fund money that is fed mainly by telephone connection charges on inmate phone calls. The events also have to be staffed by corrections officers, who are already working overtime schedules.

The department staffing is down by about 12 percent, with more than 60 vacancies against roughly 600 positions, while clerical, medical and instructional staff runs with about 70 vacancies.

Inmates without young children will be able to attend a holiday event inside the prison that features music and entertainment. Most inmates are allotted visiting hours on either Saturdays or Sundays, so they should get to enjoy a holiday visit.

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