Prison jobs suddenly popular

SANTA FE (KRQE) - The downturn in the national economy created an upturn in job applicants at the state Department of Corrections which normally struggles to fill its openings.

The department which normally struggles to fill job openings now has dozens of applications.

There are 81 job openings at the state penitentiary in Santa Fe, which is not unusual. What is unusual is the dozens of hopeful jobseekers lining up for positions they may not have a few years ago.

It's a hard knock life.

Tia Bland, with the Dept. of Corrections says,

“We have a level-two inmate, which is sort of a minimum-security inmate, and we also have maximum-security inmates." Tia Bland of the Corrections Department said.

But Warren Finley told KRQE News 13 he is up for the challenge.

"I'm not afraid of anybody they have here," he said. "I have always been told fear no man."

Finley said he's been bouncing around different jobs for the past few years but see's being a corrections officer as an opportunity.

"I could retire from here," he said. "As far as the benefits, and it's always steady.

"You are always going to need guards."

Finley's father voiced concerns but agreed it may be too good to pass up.

"He said, 'Well, I really don't want you being a correction officer, but the benefits are good,'" Finley said.

There are many more like Finley who think the law enforcement job is a perfect fit during these tough times.

"We are seeing people applying with degrees," Bland said. "We are also seeing an older candidate.

"Typically we will see an 18- or 19-year-old come in the door, but now we are seeing people with families. They are looking for stability and a job with benefits."

Finley said he likes the idea of being a corrections officer because of the security aspect. That would be job security.

"I figured it would be a little easier to get in since they need the bodies and stuff especially if the economy just keeps going down," he continued. "Crime is going to get worse."

The department is holding a class for the next group of officers. It says 20 of those students will most likely go to the state pen.

Corrections officials said they hope to have most of the positions filled by the end of the year.