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Many CCA positions filled by the already employed
Published Saturday, June 27, 2009
NATCHEZ — The new Adams County Correctional facility was said to open 410 new jobs, but not in the way some thought.
Warden Vance Laughlin said, as a ballpark figure, 70 percent of the people he has hired already had jobs, which they are now leaving to work at Corrections Corporation of America.
“There is this perception that we will come to town, and we’re going to hire everybody that’s unemployed, but that’s not true,” he said. “I came here to hire the best and the brightest.
“Those folks who have been unemployed for eight months probably aren’t going to come work for me.”
Laughlin said that’s the way any business should be run.
“Four hundred and ten positions were created in Adams County. It doesn’t necessarily mean that I’m going to hire the ones that nobody wants,” he said. “I’ve hired some people who are unemployed but very few.”
And CCA is pulling from all businesses — convenience stores, hospitals and local correctional centers, Laughlin said.
“I’ve got probably 15 people from Angola,” he said.
Laughlin said CCA does not necessarily require prior experience in the workforce.
“There are few of my jobs that require prior experience, less than 25 percent,” he said.
What’s attracting those who are already gainfully employed includes better pay, benefits and opportunity to climb the corporate ladder.
“I started as a clerk in 1988, and now I’m the warden running one of (CCA’s) largest facilities,” Laughlin said.
He said surprisingly he has not hired many people from local law enforcement agencies.
“I’m not really dragging a whole bunch from there,” he said.
Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins said one Natchez police officer, detention officer and dispatcher was hired by CCA.
However, the correctional facility did take another of Mullins’ officers indirectly.
Adams County Sheriff Angie Brown said she lost a deputy to CCA, but she has already filled that position — by hiring a Natchez police officer.
Due to budgetary constraints, Mullins put his supply officer, who typically did a lot of clerical work, back on patrol.
“As long as (CCA doesn’t take) several employees at a time. If it were several it would put a lot of pressure on us,” Mullins said.
The detention officer who went to CCA has already been replaced.
Brown said a few other employees are seeking work at CCA.
“There may be a possibility of one or two more, but I don’t know yet,” she said. “(Employees) have put in applications and done some interviewing, but they haven’t been officially hired.”
Neither the Vidalia Police Department of the Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office report any turnover due to CCA.
Construction of the facility was completed in December, and in late March of this year, CCA won its contract with the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
The prison had a job fair, at which 3,000 people applied, in late April.
The prison will have its dedication ceremony July 14.
Comments
Posted by ProNatchez (anonymous) on June 27, 2009 at 12:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That is how it is supposed to work. Sounds like they have a plan. I know they got one from the Isle of Capri. She will be good for them and we already miss her.
Posted by rushinghjr (anonymous) on June 27, 2009 at 12:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That's Business/That's Life!
Posted by jvl401969 (anonymous) on June 27, 2009 at 8:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I feel it is necessary that I explain some of the comments and put them in proper context. Many of the reasons CCA is not hiring more people that have been unemployed for long periods of time is due to the security requirements mandated for all of the positions at ACCC. It is also important to consider "why" an applicant has been employed for a long period of time, same as any other employer. Some of these requirements are mandated by federal law for this type of work (since CCA is contracted by the federal government to work with federal prisoners). It is also important to understand that many people that are not being hired are great people and possibly great employees. Its just a simple fact that with over 3000 applicants and only 410 jobs CCA is not going to be able to hire everyone that wants a job. CCA does not want to unnecessarily tax any business or law enforcement agency with its current staffing, but like any other business, CCA wants the best possible staff to run the best possible operation. This is expecially true due to the fact that CCA's primary goal is keeping the public safe. Corrections should not be considered, by anyone, as a "go-to" job when all other avenues fail, but rather a career opportunity that an employee and community can be proud of. Employment opportunities with this facility (and company) will continue into the future. CCA looks forward to being an avenue to career minded folks from Adams County and the surrounding area into the future.
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on June 27, 2009 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It makes total sense that people who had a good history of employment would be hired for these positions, and that the best people to hire would already be employed.
Of course we need prisons, and rural zones like ours seem to be the preferred places to erect them.
I don't know about a career in the private incarceration industry for me, though. With the US being the largest per capita incarcerator in the free world it just seems the system is being used too much. I would rather educate folks to stay out of prison, and reform government so that there are alternatives to incarceration.
Posted by generoberts (anonymous) on June 27, 2009 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I smell a lawsuit coming. Somebody call Al sharpton, quick.
Posted by 1redneck (anonymous) on June 27, 2009 at 11:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good luck to the recent hires . It takes a different individual to want to work corrections . Don't just go there because you need a job . The job is highly stressful and can lead to a decline in your health if left unchecked . Those who didn't get hired don't worry , this profession has a high turnover rate due to the built in stress levels . You'll get your chance to work there eventually . I know guys who've left corrections to do welding,truck driving and off shore work . They say the stress and pay is not worth it to their health . Corrections can be a good job if you can deal with the job stress .
Posted by LOVESNATCHEZ (anonymous) on June 27, 2009 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It seems like they are doing it right! It's not their fault that the majority of applicants can't pass a credit check, a background check and a drug test. Most of the ones who didn't get a job don't really care, they'll still get their "mailbox check".
Posted by generoberts (anonymous) on June 27, 2009 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Amen.
Posted by rt29 (anonymous) on June 27, 2009 at 6:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What do you think passing a credit check means? a good credit score...not necessarily. I'm a medical professional and am employed, but was denied an interview because of a past due credit card! I was in disbelief. I took care of my past due account completely but it was too late...it took a week to get that settled and they had already hired someone for the one position they had in my field. I'm not blaming the CCA or the feds, but that rule sucks as far as I am concerned!
Posted by reneef (anonymous) on June 27, 2009 at 9:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The credit check run has it's purpose but it can be misused. As in the cast rt29 mentioned..many places do not use the credit record as a whole they only see the individual entry. In many cases it is becuase they are not trained to read the credit record as a whole.
Posted by rt29 (anonymous) on June 28, 2009 at 2:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yea, "reneef" I can see the purpose also. It can definitely prove irresponsibility on a persons behalf. That is my fault in that matter! Irresponsibility on one of ten accounts is ridiculous! Oh well, God has a purpose for me I know, and it isn't to work in corrections!
Posted by bbc (anonymous) on June 28, 2009 at 10:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Natchez should be greatful for the employment opportunties presented with CCA as a viable employer. As with all federal agencies and private companies, ensuring those with integrity, to include credit are hired, helps to eliminate the manipulation of staff by prisoners or their family members. Believe it or not there are some federal prisoners who are very wealthy, and being behind bars does not stop them from using money to influence correctional service staff.
Posted by natashakubelikov (anonymous) on June 29, 2009 at 12:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They didn,t want all these deadheads around here working for them,they have enough problems with the psychos they have to worry about.
Posted by marinefrmntz (anonymous) on July 1, 2009 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Crazy that in a recession an employer would check credit scores!
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