Understaffing at jails and correctional facilities across the state has been an ongoing issue for communities. It’s forced some units to close down completely, and many times, force officers to work double shifts to make up for the staffing loss.

Broome County is no stranger to that issue, operating at roughly 20% below it’s typical levels. But some hope could be on the way.

“It’s something that I’ve wanted for so long. It’s something that I thought of doing since I was a little kid,” said Elijah Relyea, a recruit at the Broome County jail.

“It has been an on-and-off dream, and I’m finally pursuing it,” said Elizabeth Sculley, another recruit at the Broome County jail.

These new recruits are looking to address a major need in jails across the nation. Understaffing issues continue to plague correctional facilities, but many are hoping these men and women could be the answer.

For some, it’s a mission that hits close to home.

What You Need To Know

  • This group of recruits in Broome County is one of the largest and most diverse in the jails history

  • That was helped, in part, thanks to a financial incentive program and waving the prior college requirement to become a CO

  • Thanks to the new financial incentive program, starting salaries following the completion of the academy start at $48,000 a year, moving to nearly $74,000 in year five

 

"I've grew up in this county and over the years, I have seen my environment changing some in some ways positive, some ways negative. But I think it's an incredibly important role," said Relyea.

This group of recruits in Broome County is one of the largest and most diverse in the jail's history. As they continue to train for a job in corrections, the nearly 30 future CO's are reflecting on what brought them here

"This is one of the ways to get your foot into the door, and you actually get quite the opportunity an experience to handle different situations outside," said Sculley.

Sculley is one of a handful of women recruits in the program.

It was one of the top goals of Sheriff Fred Akshar to diversify the jail while addressing the needs of the inmate population. That was helped, in part, thanks to a financial incentive program, and waving the prior college requirement to become a CO.

For Sculley, and fellow recruit Relyea, leaving an impacting that population is goal number one.

“A lot of them never really saw a lot of good. A lot of them grew up in really troubled situations and had to go through a lot of stuff to get to where they are right now. And I'm just hoping that I can be a positive influence, a positive role model to a lot of these men or women that are in this jail,” said Relyea.

"It's very hard because I am coming from another facility, and I do see the hard and the great from the people. But they are just like us. We are human. They are human,” said Sculley.

While this may be just the beginning, these new recruits hope their work in the jail will build a better community outside it. Now having graduated, these recruits will have up to one year to complete the typical law enforcement academy.

Thanks to the new financial incentive program, starting salaries following the completion of the academy start at $48,000 a year, moving to nearly $74,000 in year five.