As with many other workplaces these days, the Hennepin County Jail is looking for workers to fill a staffing shortage.
County officials say a shortage of detention deputies has resulted in the cancellation of beneficial social interaction and enrichment programs, and even in cell lockdowns from time to time.
Jail Program Coordinator Sergeant Adam Hernke says while that's unfortunate, their priority is keeping inmates and staff safe.
"Nobody here is sentenced, everybody is innocent until proven guilty," Hernke said. "So we need to ensure that while they're being held, be it on bail or bond, that they are safe."
Hernke says with more than 700 inmates to keep track of during any given week, proper staffing is key.
"If someone starts fighting with someone else and I can't get to them because I'm doing someone else's job or assisting someone else, I'm not able to respond fast enough," Hernke explains. "Those two individuals continue to fight each other, continue to hurt each other, that degrades the safety."
Hernke says staffing in the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office as a whole is down roughly 15%.
HCSO Major Pat Enderlein says they've been trying to beef up the ranks by holding recruiting events to demonstrate what he says can be a rewarding career path.
"They don't understand all of the pieces that go with this, what does this really mean for programming, what does this mean for compassion, empathy, connecting with people who are here," says Enderlien. "Our job is to educate people on what that means."
The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office is staffing a booth at the State Fair this year for anyone who wants to learn more about joining the department.