PIERRE, S.D.(WNAX)- The interim Appropriations Committee of the South Dakota legislature heard about long term worker shortages in the state’s prisons.

Corrections Department Secretary Kellie Wasko says its connected to problems in the department.

Wasko told the committee, meeting yesterday (Wednesday) in Pierre, their vacancies have grown.

Wasko says they are facing increasing competition for workers.

The department just raised wages for correctional officers again, in a range from twenty three to twenty eight dollars an hour.