HANFORD -- About 30 union members Wednesday protested the upcoming layoffs of prison teachers and staff members, saying the job cuts will lead to more crime and cause parolees to return to prison because they will lack education and skills.
The protest by members of Service Employees International Union Local 1000 specifically targeted Assembly Member Danny Gilmore, R-Hanford, because his district includes 14 prison and rehabilitation facilities.
Union members say about 230 of the laid-off workers, who could lose their jobs in January, live in Gilmore's district. About 800 prison teachers, supervisors and support staff in the adult rehabilitation programs statewide could be laid off, said Elizabeth Figgins, a spokeswoman for the adult programs of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Some of the laid-off employees could have bumping rights for other state jobs, she said.
The protesters said the laid-off workers teach prisoners reading, writing, math and vocational skills such as air-conditioning repair, masonry and building maintenance.
They say without those skills, parolees are more likely to return to prison. "The No. 1 tool to reduce recidivism is vocational training," said Tim Chaney, who teaches building maintenance at the substance-abuse treatment facility and state prison in Corcoran.
Noah Lawson, district director for Gilmore, told the protesters that Gilmore did not support cutting the prison jobs.
"He's feeling the burden of the situation that you find yourselves in," Lawson said.
About 12 of the protesters received layoff notices. They spoke with Lawson individually and handed him copies of their notices to give to Gilmore after the rally at the civic park in downtown Hanford.
They also requested a town hall meeting with Gilmore.
Arnold Jaime, who has taught masonry at the substance-abuse facility in Corcoran for 12 years, received a layoff notice and is worried about providing for his wife and three children.
"I might lose my house," the Fresno resident said.
Union members say they also will lobby other Valley legislators whose districts contain prisons.
The 800 employees who could lose their jobs are among about 1,900 prison teachers and staff statewide, Figgins said.
With fewer teachers and resources, the department will identify those inmates most in need of education and rehabilitation to try to reduce recidivism, she said.
"We want to make sure we put someone in the programs who is a higher risk to reoffend," she said.
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