Shortage of Guards Delays Prison Opening
U.S. Bureau of Prisons officials have pushed back the opening of a new federal prison in this Merced County town because not enough qualified people have applied for jobs as guards.
Until prison officials are sure they have enough staff to handle the first 300 or so inmates for the main prison, it sits empty, except for the 228 workers who are already there. About 50 more guards are needed before the facility can open, prison spokesman Jesse Gonzalez said.
A prospective Bureau of Prisons employee must pass several background checks.
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