By Associated Press
Oklahoma City, OK – OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) About a dozen Pardon and Parole Board employees are protesting at the state Capitol after receiving their third furlough day in as many months.
The employees held signs on the south lawn of the Capitol on Monday and waved to passing motorists.
The entire agency, which employs about 35 workers, was shut down on Monday and a recorded message at the agency headquarters said the office was closed due to state budget cuts.
Parole Board investigator James McGee says the forced unpaid days off are a hardship on workers, most of whom conduct background checks on inmates scheduled for parole.
McGee says despite the furlough days, there is no decrease in the workload that employees are required to do.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.