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Franklin County Jail Union Declares Safety Emergency as Staffing Drops to Half

County leaders point to a standing proposal following the officer’s recovery.

Overview

  • Union officials say an inmate struck an officer with a tablet on Jan. 5, after incidents in late December and last week in which officers were kicked and spat on.
  • AFSCME Local 589 reports 48 officers currently cover 106 positions, a decline from 96 in June 2021, with some staff working 12–16 hour shifts and up to 70 hours a week.
  • Multiple areas are closed because of short staffing, including the Bravo and Charlie dorms and the medical unit, according to the union.
  • County commissioners say the injured officer has recovered and that they have offered a formal, fiscally responsible plan to improve staffing and safety, which the union has not presented for a vote.
  • Negotiations remain strained as the union says members rejected prior scheduling changes; the county notes past hiring efforts and an 8% 2025 pay raise, and Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the latest assault.