Susan Johnson

On my weekly public affairs show, “Let’s Talk About It,” I spoke with Brian Anderson, the legislative and political director at AFSCME Council 4, about the status of our prisons. There has been a spike in attacks on correction officers and assaults between inmates. Anderson and I talked about the need to keep prison guards safe while treating incarcerated individuals fairly.

Last month, state Department of Correction administrators announced they are forming a committee to review safety practices and hiring outside consultants to find new ways to enhance safety in prisons. Prison guards acknowledge that a very small number of inmates are responsible for assaults, and staff is committed to helping incarcerated individuals get back up on their feet.

Anderson, who represents unionized correction officers, believes recent legislation requiring inmates to spend more time outside their cells is playing a role in the uptick in violence. According to Anderson, there is not enough physical space to accommodate the inmates during their recreational time. He is advocating for prisons to offer educational and vocational course as well as mental health services to that inmates use their time outside their cells productively.

Anderson and I talked about other possible solutions to avoid prison violence including more corrections staff. Please click below to listen to the entire show!

Brian Anderson discusses how to address the recent spike in prison assaults.