Idaho Correction Department cuts 24 jobs to meet budget

BOISE (AP) - Officials with the Idaho Department of Correction say 24 positions are being eliminated and staff furloughs will continue this year as part of a plan to cut $3.1 million from the budget in the upcoming fiscal year.

Department Spokesman Jeff Ray says none of jobs being cut are in the department's front-line public safety positions - so no correctional officers, probation or parole officers are being let go. Rather, the positions are divided among supervisory and support staffers and food service workers.

The new reductions mean that in the past two years, the department has lost a total of 102 positions to budget cuts.

Director Brent Reinke says the department has had to make some difficult choices since the budget crises began, but the focus remains on protecting Idahoans.