The Hutchinson Animal Shelter is seeking money for new employees, partly because of problems with inmate volunteers from the Hutchinson Correctional Facility.

Director Richard Havens told council members last week that he would like six new employees so the shelter can either stop using the inmate labor or have enough staff to supervise them.

Havens says the inmate labor is unreliable, has problems working with female staff and that sometimes contraband is left at the shelter for the inmates.

It’s unlikely the request for six new staff members will be granted. Council members say several city departments need more money and employees. City Manager John Deardoff has received a proposal to hire three more part-time employees at a cost of $28,000 to $35,000.

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Associated Press Information from: The Hutchinson News