A staffing dispute is unfolding over who guards Allegheny County Jail inmates when they’re hospitalized.
Sheriff Kevin Kraus has pulled his deputies from those assignments, citing budget and officer safety concerns over a new family notification policy.
Kraus says he’s working with the county to resolve the issue after pulling his deputies a week ago.
“We’re taking the approach for a solution-based outcome here, is what we’re trying to do and I’m hopeful we can come to that, said Sheriff Kraus. “At the end of the day, I cannot put my deputies are risk. It’s my job to assess risk, mitigate risk and look out for the personal safety of my employees.”
Kraus says corrections officers are now responsible for guarding hospitalized inmates.
Kraus says he’s concerned about the new policy, that notifies families when an inmate is hospitalized and that could bring visitors to the hospital.
“It’s a very serious concern and over decades, we’ve taken very serious and sensitive protocols, as it relates to safety,” added Kraus.
He says it's a safety concern
He says it's a safety concern
