Currently, there are 357 vacant positions available in the structural units of the Prison Administration (UMZ) in Riga, Valmiera, Cesis, Olaine, Liepaja, and Jekabpils, which accounts for approximately 15% of the total number of positions in the agency.
UMZ complains about the low interest of young people in a career in this field, as well as the widespread prejudices about working in a prison environment.
Among the open vacancies are guards, security personnel, inspectors, as well as medical staff: psychologists, doctors, surgeons, pulmonologists, radiologists, paramedics, head nurses, and other specialists.
Instead of raising salaries, the head of Latvian prisons talks about contributions to society. "This profession requires courage, but it also gives you the opportunity to see how your contribution truly changes society," noted UMZ director Dmitry Kalin.
According to him, 61% of employees have worked in the system for more than ten years and claim to be satisfied with their jobs, feel good, and safe. What the others are satisfied with is not reported.
Interestingly, UMZ organizes open days during which anyone interested can visit the prisons.
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