(The Center Square) – Nearly 20% of the commissioned staff at the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office’s Corrections Bureau remains vacant, causing overtime usage to continue to rise in 2025. As a result of the staffing shortage at the Corrections Bureau, overtime usage is continuing to increase. Corrections Bureau Chief Doug Watkins presented the latest staffing statistics to the Public Safety Committee meeting on Monday. While vacancies continue to be an issue for the Corrections Bureau, the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office has hired 23 new corrections deputies while losing 18 so far in 2025. “So it’s hard to argue against it, but – it’s still an issue.”Future separations are expected for the Corrections Bureau as 42% of staff are 50 years or older.