CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. – Members of AFSCME Local 589 who serve as corrections officers at Franklin County Jail used their union voice last week, speaking out at a county commissioners meeting.
They demanded immediate action to fix the staffing emergency at the county jail, where over half of the more than 100 positions remain vacant and safety is rapidly deteriorating.
The officers, members of AFSCME Council 13, warned that the jail is operating under severely short-handed conditions that are endangering staff, inmates and the community. They described being forced to work excessive mandatory overtime, with one or two officers often responsible for supervising dozens of inmates alone.
“When we don’t have enough officers on the floor, the risk level increases immediately,” said Officer Brock Hohman. “A single officer might be responsible for supervising dozens of inmates, handling conflicts, monitoring behavior, and responding to emergencies — often simultaneously and with little to no support. This is not just inefficient. It’s dangerous.”
The corrections officers told the commissioners how the ongoing staffing crisis at the jail is driving experienced officers away and making it harder to recruit and retain qualified staff.
The facility is so shorthanded, the county is having to assign probation officers and other non-security employees to staff the units. Burnout, excessive overtime, and unsafe conditions have driven many former COs from the job.
“We are proud of the work we do to protect Franklin County residents,” said Officer Stephen Knouse, a 13-year employee of Franklin County Jail. “We are committed to our duty, but we cannot continue to do it under these conditions or have to choose between doing our job and risking our life because of preventable staffing shortages. We are asking the county to do what’s right for the safety of its employees, the inmates and the entire community.”
Members of Local 589 are standing together to urge commissioners to recruit and retain the full complement of 106 full-time correctional officers needed to safely run the facility.
Local 589 members were strongly backed by their families and their fellow AFSCME local unions in the area. Members of Locals 246 (Borough of Chambersburg), 2935 (Chambersburg Area School District & Franklin County Housing Authority), and 2536 (PLCB) showed up in their AFSCME green to lend their support.
The corrections officers at the meeting made the following three proposals to enhance recruitment and retention at the jail:
- Ensure every new corrections officer in Franklin County receives the academy training no more than two months after their start date;
- Provide significant retention bonuses for staff hired since the start of 2025;
- And increase hourly wages by $2.00 each year at the start of 2026 and 2027.
Members of Local 589 say that speaking out at the commissioners’ meeting was just the first step. They plan to continue educating the public and rallying community support for their cause. These corrections officers will continue to fight for safety and full staffing at the jail while working toward a collaborative solution with management.
Public safety professionals are turning to our union to build power. AFSCME members in corrections, law enforcement and emergency response are proud to protect our freedoms and our communities.
Visit the AFSCME Public Safety website to get involved.