CHAMBERSBURG – Franklin County Jail officials reported signs of stabilization in staffing and operations during the a recent county commissioners’ meeting, citing a series of inmate transfers and new hires that have temporarily eased overtime and staffing strain.
But while county leaders praised recent efforts to trim costs and streamline shift coverage, the correctional officers’ union says deeper structural problems persist and urgent action is still needed.
Transfers ease pressure, but only temporarily
Warden Heather Franzoni, joined by Human Resources Director Tiffany Bloyer and Fiscal Director Janelle Friese, told commissioners that 28 inmates have been transferred to neighboring counties, allowing one housing unit to be closed and reducing staffing demands per shift. By Nov. 20, officials expect 55 full-time correctional officers will be on staff, with six more candidates in the pipeline. Two part-time officers are already on duty, and one additional hire is expected soon.
“We’re finally seeing momentum,” Franzoni said, noting that the staffing boost has reduced burnout and allowed more officers to take scheduled leave.
Still, the overall budget picture remains tight. The jail’s annual operating cost is $16.7 million. While outsourcing all inmates to outside facilities might reduce that to an estimated $13.5 million based on daily rates, officials emphasized that local housing keeps inmates closer to family, legal counsel and re-entry services.
Commission Chair Dean Horst said, “We can’t overlook the human side of incarceration. In-county housing supports supervision, rehabilitation and re-integration.”
Union says staffing is still in crisis
Spokesmen for AFSCME Local 589, which represents jail correctional officers, acknowledges recent staffing improvements but continues to characterize the situation as an emergency. More than half of all officer positions remain vacant, and union leaders argue that current measures such as inmate transfers, are stopgap measures, not solutions.
“We are not asking for perfection. We’re asking for protection,” said Officer Brock Hohman during an October commissioners’ meeting. AFSCME officers, many wearing green and holding signs that read “Staff the Jail” and “Make the jail safe for staff, inmates & the community,” described chronic mandatory overtime, excessive fatigue and a spike in workplace injuries.
Several officers reported being assaulted by inmates, with some requiring hospitalization. Others warned that thin staffing has emboldened threats of riots and led to at least one inmate escape due to insufficient transport supervision. The union has filed grievances citing these safety issues and continues to push for what it describes as baseline operational standards: safe staffing levels, sufficient training and predictable scheduling.
AFSCME proposes solutions
AFSCME has presented a three-part proposal to county leaders, calling for guaranteed academy training within 60 days of hire, retention bonuses for recent recruits, and $2 per hour pay increases in both 2026 and 2027.
The union contends that Franklin County’s wages are falling behind those in neighboring counties and that burnout from excessive overtime is driving resignations. AFSCME also wants scheduling reforms to promote work-life balance. Many officers have reportedly worked 16-hour shifts for weeks on end, and union representatives say these conditions are unsustainable.
County officials, however, have pushed back on the cost. Negotiations are ongoing with a state mediator, and the county has so far offered an 8 percent wage increase, far short of the 15 to 22 percent proposed by AFSCME.
Julie Marks, an AFSCME representative, said the pay raises, training assurances and schedule adjustments are not optional. “We can’t keep the community safe if we can’t keep officers on the job,” she said.
Inmate transfers seen as “band-aid”
While union leaders have not opposed the temporary transfer of inmates, they argue that the moves, though helpful in a crisis, cannot replace the need for a full correctional staff. AFSCME points out that inmate transfers disrupt family contact and increase burdens on probation and transport staff. The union is also wary that some officials may be leaning toward long-term privatization of jail operations, an approach AFSCME firmly opposes.
“The answer to this problem is not to outsource it,” Officer Stephen Knouse said. “It’s to invest in the people who already serve this county.”
County Administrator Carrie Gray reaffirmed that Franklin County’s regional training academy remains a resource and could be part of longer-term workforce solutions. “We’re looking at partnerships that maintain local control while improving efficiency,” she said.
Looking ahead
Despite visible tension between union and county leadership, both sides acknowledge that cooperation will be key to resolving the crisis. County commissioners say communication with the bargaining unit has improved, and AFSCME has expressed a willingness to consider trial schedules and hiring policy changes so long as the core staffing issue is addressed.
The union’s message to county leaders remains focused and urgent: listen to the people doing the job. “Protecting your employees also protects the integrity of the justice system,” Officer Hohman told commissioners. “We are standing ready to help, but we need to be heard.”
