Prison guard group backs Spence for Mo. governor

Monday, September 17, 2012

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — An association of Missouri prison guards has endorsed Republican Dave Spence in his challenge of Democratic Gov. Jay Nixon.

The Missouri Corrections Officers Association says this marks the second time the group has endorsed a gubernatorial candidate since it was formed in 2000. It also backed Republican Matt Blunt in 2004.

Association director Gary Gross said Spence’s endorsement partly reflects the group’s frustration that Missouri employees rank among the lowest-paid in the nation and have not received significant raises in recent years.

He said the association is not a union but serves as the official bargaining unit for more than 5,000 correctional officers around the state. The group took over that role after a 2002 vote among employees decertified the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees as their official representative.

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chickamonker 8 months, 1 week ago

They are "Corrections Officers" not guards!!!

spelchek 8 months, 1 week ago

What have they corrected?

MO4LIFE 8 months, 1 week ago

not a thing at all!!!! They just guard the inmates. Gues we have to be politically correct now. just like you can't say garbageman anymore. Custodial engineer is what they like. I call it as i see it.

JCLifer 8 months, 1 week ago

They don't even have to pass a POST test like real law enforcement officers, and they sure aren't paid like real law enforcement officers either. Sounds more like guards or direct care staff to me.

Paroquet 8 months, 1 week ago

They have to pass a solid month's worth of specialized training before going in the doors, and do everything a sheriff's deputy does manning the jail. They have to maintain continuing education credits, many the same as commissioned LEOs. They have to attend specialized training that may be paid or unpaid, that of LEOs and that specific to their duties. They have to routinely pass stringent, specialized qualification tests. They're tested for drugs and alcohol moreso than are elected officials. They're surrounded for the bulk of their shift by degrees of felons that beat cops might see once a month at most, and sometimes go their career without the "privilege".

Could they waltz in and do a cops job? Probably. The reverse? Probably not.

My father was once awarded -National- Corrections Officer of the Year. He retired with a Joint Congressional Resolution honoring his service. My spouse worked in corrections for a number of years. First cousin retired as a Captain from the MSHP. I kinda have half a clue what I'm talking about.

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