Because of staff shortages at William C. Holman Correctional Facility just outside of Atmore, the Alabama Department of Corrections announced Tuesday a plan to close the community work center nearby by the end of the month.

ADOC Public Information Manager Bob Horton said the work center houses 240 inmates and has a staff of 27.

“Our decision to close the Atmore Community Work Center and transfer the facility’s security staff to the William C. Holman Correctional Facility is a prudent step toward improving the safety and security conditions at the prison,” Corrections Commissioner Jeff Dunn said. “By closing the work center and transferring security staff to Holman, we will increase ‘boots on the ground’ and provide for a safer facility for our employees and inmates.”

Atmore Community Work Center inmates currently providing services to governmental agencies will be relocated to the J.O. Davis Correctional Facility in Atmore in order to continue the DOC’s support to the community.

ADOC officials added that closing the work center will not affect the local economy.

Horton said a number of Atmore’s correctional officers already volunteer for overtime at Holman Correctional Facility to fill officer shortages. Since Holman prison is in close proximity to the community work center, the impact on officers transferring from the work center to the prison will be minimal.