TNC
05-04-2004, 11:51 PM
Prisons seek out new employees
10:15 PM MDT on Tuesday, May 4, 2004
Ryan Panitz
Idaho's NewsChannel 7
Throughout the state there are dozens of job openings in the prison system, especially in the area of correctional officers.
Some blame it on incredibly high turnover rates.
For people like Lisa Sorenson-Eslick, working as a correction officer has been a dream for years. She says it is in her blood.
"It just makes me feel alive inside,” said Lisa Sorenson Eslick. “It's like an adrenaline rush."
That is why she jumped at the chance to see what the job was all about. Sorenson-Eslick was one of many who came out to the Idaho Correctional Institution Tuesday for a career fair.
For those already on the inside, many say this is a stressful gig.
"People just don't like you and I think that weighs heavily on everybody's mind," said Sgt. Justin Cole.
And that could be why turnover may be so high
In 2003 the rate was about 19 percent. Half way through fiscal year 2004 it is at 14.6 percent.
Sergeant Cole says if it was not rewarding, he would not stay.
"They're going to be out in society,” said Cole. “They are going to be my next door neighbor. They could be working for me or I could be working for them so why not take a chance and try to make a positive change in someone's life."
Cole says Tuesday’s fair is sign of good times ahead. People want to learn about his career and possibly make it their own.
For people like Lisa Sorenson-Eslick, it is personal.
"It's something my kids would be proud of me to do, so that matters," said Sorenson-Eslick.
As of March 2004, there were a combined 5,993 inmates living in the 9 different prisons throughout the state.
10:15 PM MDT on Tuesday, May 4, 2004
Ryan Panitz
Idaho's NewsChannel 7
Throughout the state there are dozens of job openings in the prison system, especially in the area of correctional officers.
Some blame it on incredibly high turnover rates.
For people like Lisa Sorenson-Eslick, working as a correction officer has been a dream for years. She says it is in her blood.
"It just makes me feel alive inside,” said Lisa Sorenson Eslick. “It's like an adrenaline rush."
That is why she jumped at the chance to see what the job was all about. Sorenson-Eslick was one of many who came out to the Idaho Correctional Institution Tuesday for a career fair.
For those already on the inside, many say this is a stressful gig.
"People just don't like you and I think that weighs heavily on everybody's mind," said Sgt. Justin Cole.
And that could be why turnover may be so high
In 2003 the rate was about 19 percent. Half way through fiscal year 2004 it is at 14.6 percent.
Sergeant Cole says if it was not rewarding, he would not stay.
"They're going to be out in society,” said Cole. “They are going to be my next door neighbor. They could be working for me or I could be working for them so why not take a chance and try to make a positive change in someone's life."
Cole says Tuesday’s fair is sign of good times ahead. People want to learn about his career and possibly make it their own.
For people like Lisa Sorenson-Eslick, it is personal.
"It's something my kids would be proud of me to do, so that matters," said Sorenson-Eslick.
As of March 2004, there were a combined 5,993 inmates living in the 9 different prisons throughout the state.