BSRDC Staff Down in Numbers; Overtime Mounts for Employees

By Roberta Cantrell
BSN Editor

Staff shortages are a main concern with administration at the Big Sandy Regional Detention Center in Paintsville.

Jail Administrator Byron Hansford told the BSRDC board overtime hours included 575.59 overtime hours for the payroll dated Dec. 24, 2025, and the payroll ending Jan. 7 added up to 365.96 hours.

Hansford said the facility in particular is short of female officers.

The board was informed that the facility has been averaging 232 inmates most recently 224 are being detained there.

“We’ve had six people; we normally have 11,” he said. “They’re all getting overtime, working them to death. We had some hired, but they did not stick. We got three hired today, and that will help some, but we need a couple more.”

Hansford said however, housing revenue was up reporting the state was over $100,000. Revenue included $106,691 from the state, $53,528 from Johnson County, $35,322 from Lawrence County, $33,505 from Magoffin County, $30,598 from Martin County and $945 from Floyd County.

Treasurer Pam Burgess reported that the jail also collected about $9,000 in per diem fees in December.

New leadership was elected as well making Board member Billy Patrick of Martin County chairman, with fellow Martin County representative Bradford Preece selected as co-chairman.