Some Illinois prison guards are doubling their annual pay because of mandatory overtime, reports the Associated Press. Prison officials say the forced overtime has been in place because of understaffing. Many guards are working double shifts to fill vacant positions.
Top pay for correctional officers is approximately $55,000 annually. But according to state records, more than 40 prison guards earned over $100,000 last year. In one instance, a guard at Dwight Correctional Center earned almost $140,000. Prison union officials say they are working with Gov. Pat Quinn to end mandatory overtime.