Recently, the department lost more than 110 staff members in the prisons in three months' time. In reporting their staff numbers, she said, the department counts people on long-term military, sick and investigatory leave.

"These people are not contributing any hours worked, but are currently counted as employed in the institutions," Jorgens said. "For every one of these people, someone has to pick up the 40 hours work per week that fewer and fewer of us are expected to work."

There is such a level of frustration, people are abandoning posts and walking off the job, she said.

"Our spirits are broken and we are worn down," she said. "Unfortunately, our administration and our governor are indifferent to these needs."

Jason Swedlund, a mental health security specialist at the Regional Center for more than 16 years, and a union representative, testified after a 16-hour shift that ended Monday morning.

"At 6:30 tomorrow morning, that phone rings, and I've got to wonder, am I going to be able to take my daughter to school tomorrow morning, even though I did a 16-hour shift today?" he said.