MARTIN COUNTY, KY (WSAZ)--Federal corrections officers at the Big Sandy Federal Prison are calling for increased safety on the job.
Thursday, a number of union employees held an informational picket out of the prison to talk about the issues they say are putting their lives at risk.
Senior correctional officer James McCarty says patrolling prison cells like these are a far cry from his years as a sheriff's deputy.
“We were well equipped, we were given a weapon, bullet-proof vest, pepper spray,” James McCarty said.
At the Big Sandy Federal prison, the guards say they carry none of those. Union employees also say the prison is overcrowded and understaffed and say they do not feel safe on the job.
In 2006 two inmates were stabbed to death. A December 2007 assault sent four to the hospital. And so far in 2008, officers estimate another 15 assaults.
A prison spokesperson says safety remains the top priority, and employees can expect to have stab-resistant vests in the coming weeks.
“We have adequate staff to do the very difficult job that we have to do. Whatever funding we are provided, we take that and do the best we can,” said Phil Heffington, Bureau of Prison spokesperson.
Bureau of Prisons officials also say guards do have access to less-lethal devices in emergencies, but if guards routinely carried 'less lethal devices' like mace or pepper spray, inmates could easily get a hold of them.