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One of the state’s most dangers jobs could get even more dangerous. Lawmakers want the state’s prison system to operate with about two thousand fewer correctional officers. As Whitney Ray tells us, correctional officers fear they’ll have to guard the state’s baddest inmates with fewer good guys.

Hear it here: Budget Cuts Could Make Dangerous Job Worse

James Baiardi has spent 22 years of his life keeping an eye on Florida’s most violent criminals. During his time as a correctional officer Baiardi has been bitten, had his tooth knocked out. He was even stabbed with a pencil.

“Over the years I’ve seen some violent acts. I’ve actually seen one inmate kill another inmate,” said Baiardi.

On the day of the killing in 1990, Baiardi had to take down the killer who was still armed with a shank.

“I had to disarm him from the weapon, I actually stuck the weapon down and secure the weapon,” Baiardi said

Stories like Baiardi’s could soon become more common as lawmakers follow through with plans to cut 1,800 correctional officers. The Senate’s latest plan would eliminate money to build new prisons. The Department of Corrections says with less money it wouldn’t be able to keep the prisons it has open.

“If we are forced to make significant budget cuts to our prison system, like eliminating the 1,800 correctional officers, more than likely what we would like to do is close down a prison,” said Gretl Plessinger a spokesperson with the Department of Corrections.

Which means some prisoners would be free. Under the cuts about six hundred probation officers would also lose their jobs.