Correctional facilities across the country are facing a mounting crisis: unsustainable overtime hours for the correctional officer workforce. Between staffing shortages, rising inmate populations, and the need for 24/7 security. The pressure on officers continues to increase, often resulting in fatigue, burnout, and rising operational costs.
While some amount of overtime is inevitable in high-demand public safety roles, excessive and poorly managed overtime is a warning sign of systemic inefficiencies. For correctional administrators, better shift planning can be the key to protecting both their people and their budgets.
The Hidden Cost of Overtime
Overtime pay may seem like a temporary fix for understaffing, but the long-term consequences can be severe. A correctional officer regularly working beyond their scheduled hours is more likely to experience physical and mental exhaustion. Fatigue on the job doesn’t just affect individual performance; it also poses significant safety risks for both officers and inmates.
In many facilities, the use of mandatory overtime has become routine. Officers may be required to stay past their shifts or be called in on their days off, disrupting personal lives and increasing the likelihood of absenteeism. This creates a dangerous cycle of overwork that compromises morale and leads to even more overtime to fill unexpected absences.
From a financial standpoint, excessive overtime strains already tight state and county budgets. Correctional officer overtime can cost departments millions of dollars annually, with an average of $8,880 in overtime pay per employee per year. Funds that could otherwise be used to improve infrastructure, training, or hire additional staff. Requiring mandatory overtime as a standing requirement for correctional officer roles is a short-term solution that leads to long-term instability.
Common Scheduling Challenges in Corrections
Unlike many industries, correctional facilities must maintain uninterrupted staffing every day of the year. A correctional officer must be available at all hours, regardless of holidays, weekends, or emergencies. This requirement alone makes scheduling a highly complex task.
Several systemic issues make it difficult to manage shifts effectively:
- Unpredictable incidents: Emergencies and unexpected inmate behavior often require additional staff at a moment’s notice.
- Union agreements and labor rules: Facilities must comply with detailed scheduling constraints, including rest periods, shift limits, and seniority preferences.
- High turnover and absenteeism: Recruiting and retaining correctional officers is a challenge in itself. A reduced labor pool increases the burden on existing staff.
- Manual or outdated scheduling tools: Many correctional institutions still rely on spreadsheets or legacy software that lack real-time visibility and automation.
These challenges make it easy to fall into reactive scheduling. Filling gaps only after they arise instead of proactively preventing them.
Strategic Shift Planning to Reduce Overtime
Reducing overtime requires a fundamental shift in how correctional facilities approach scheduling. Instead of reacting to staffing shortages after they happen, leaders must adopt a proactive, structured strategy that addresses the root causes of excessive overtime.
This includes better use of historical data, modern scheduling tools, and policies that support both operational needs and officer wellbeing. The following strategies offer practical ways to improve shift planning and minimize overtime across the board.
1. Data-Driven Forecasting
Facilities can use historical data to identify patterns in absenteeism, incident rates, and peak staffing demands. This workforce insight allows administrators to anticipate when additional coverage may be needed, schedule accordingly, and reduce the need for last-minute overtime.
2. Flexible Shift Design
Rigid, fixed schedules don’t always align with the realities of a correctional officer’s life. Offering more flexibility in shift lengths or rotation patterns can improve work-life balance and reduce unscheduled absences. Additionally, staggered shift start times can help cover peak operational periods without overburdening specific teams.
3. Proactive Absence Management
Tracking leave requests, sick time, and call-offs in a centralized platform helps administrators fill gaps with trained personnel before they become emergencies. Early interventions reduce the chances of unplanned overtime and ensure consistent staffing coverage.
4. Skills and Credential Tracking
Maintaining accurate records of officer qualifications, certifications, and training can improve scheduling accuracy. If only certain officers are qualified for a post, knowing exactly who is available at any given time helps avoid assigning unqualified staff or overusing the same individuals repeatedly.
5. Improved Engagement
Engaging correctional officers in their own scheduling, such as allowing input on preferred shifts or availability, can boost morale and reduce resistance to schedule changes. More engaged employees are more likely to show up consistently, cutting down on the need for last-minute replacements and overtime.
How Indeavor Helps Correctional Facilities Take Control
Indeavor’s workforce management platform is purpose-built to meet the unique demands of public safety agencies, including correctional institutions. Our solution enables administrators to streamline scheduling, enforce labor rules, and optimize staffing coverage, all while reducing reliance on overtime.
With Indeavor, your team gains:
- Automated, compliant shift planning
- Real-time visibility into availability and call-offs
- Fatigue risk management tools
- Credential tracking and role-based shift assignment
- Reporting and analytics to support staffing decisions
By replacing manual processes with smart automation, correctional facilities can ensure that every correctional officer is scheduled efficiently, reducing burnout, improving safety, and controlling costs.
A Smarter Path Forward
Correctional institutions can no longer afford to treat overtime as an unavoidable cost of doing business. With staffing challenges on the rise, now is the time to re-evaluate scheduling practices and implement strategies that put people first.
Better shift planning isn’t just about cost reduction, it’s about protecting the physical and mental health of every correctional officer while maintaining the safety and integrity of the facility.
Schedule a demo today to let Indeavor help you build a more efficient and sustainable workforce.
About the Author
Claire Pieper is the Digital Marketing Specialist for Indeavor. In her role, she specializes in crafting strategic and engaging content, ensuring that customers are well-informed. Claire is dedicated to enhancing the customer experience and optimizing the user journey through Indeavor’s solutions. To learn more or get in touch, connect with Claire on LinkedIn.
