ORANJESTAD (AAN): The situation at Korrektie Instituut Aruba (KIA) remains critical as union leadership warns that KIA Needs At Least 22 Extra Staff for Overtime Coverage to keep operations functioning properly.
In an interview with Matutino DIARIO, Edsel Figaroa, leader of Sindicato TOPA, explained that staff shortages at KIA are not a new issue. According to him, employees have been raising concerns for years about insufficient personnel to operate the facility safely and efficiently.
Figaroa detailed the daily staffing requirements and how the shortage forces workers into excessive overtime. For example, during the 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. shift, at least 10 additional staff members are needed to cover duties through overtime. Without this, normal operations cannot continue smoothly.
The same issue affects the afternoon shift from 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., which requires five to six additional staff members working overtime. The overnight shift from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. also requires another five to six extra personnel to maintain adequate coverage.
Altogether, KIA Needs At Least 22 Extra Staff for Overtime Coverage each day to ensure the institution can function properly. Figaroa emphasized that the burden placed on current employees is severe.
“These workers are not getting the chance to rest. Some of them are working 16-hour shifts, going home to sleep briefly, and returning again,” Figaroa stated. He warned that the consequences of such long hours are already visible. Fatigue, irritability, stress, and increased sick leave (AO) are becoming more common.
According to the union leader, prolonged exhaustion affects both staff morale and overall workplace atmosphere. Workers under constant stress may appear uncooperative or frustrated, but Figaroa insists that the root cause is workload pressure.
The shortage also impacts vacation scheduling. Figaroa explained that at times employees are unable to take leave because there simply is not enough staff to replace them. This creates a cycle of overwork and burnout.
“Even detainees notice when staff are tired and irritated. When you are exhausted after long shifts, maintaining a positive attitude becomes difficult,” he added.
Currently, there are only 31 correctional officers working in the security division. Ideally, KIA should have at least 115 correctional officers and 68 security personnel to operate at optimal levels.
The gap highlights a serious staffing deficit. As union representatives continue to press for action, they warn that failure to address the issue could impact institutional safety and operational stability.
The message remains clear: KIA Needs At Least 22 Extra Staff for Overtime Coverage to prevent burnout and ensure proper functioning of the correctional facility.
