LOUISVILLE, Ky. — From parks, to housing, to public safety, Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer presented his final budget to metro council on Thursday.
The $1.3 billion budget is the largest in Metro history. One part of that public safety funding would provide nearly $4 million to Metro Corrections (LMDC), funding security, facility improvement and more.
LMDC FOP President Daniel Johnson said this is great step toward progress.
"Safety, security retention and recruitment are at the top of our list,” Johnson said. “We've got to keep people safe who are in our care. We've got to get our staffing numbers up."
He said Corrections is short 141 officers with 308 currently employed.
A testament to how urgent staffing needs are, he's celebrating the small wins. For the first time in the last four years, they are hiring more people per month than they are losing.
"While it might seem like a drop in the bucket in the overall scheme of things, it's a step in the right direction,” Johnson said.
He said just Wednesday, Corrections felt the pinch of short staffing yet again but ended up saving the lives of two incarcerated people who were suffering from detox symptoms.
Michelle Sogan, the Corrections officer who was the acting sergeant, said increased numbers will only improve outcomes, especially after eight deaths since November 2021.
"A lot has happened lately where it's been negative after negative and for us to actually be able to save two lives yesterday was a huge accomplishment,” she said.
Johnson also suspects the money will be used to improve and add technology such as body scanners. He said the one installed earlier this month has already found contraband more than 20 times.
Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the WHAS11 News app now. For Apple or Android users.
Have a news tip? Email assign@whas11.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.