AUSTIN -- The Texas Youth Commission has resumed paying overtime to guards and will soon release overtime payments held back over the past month.

The state's juvenile prison system says a check will be issued to employees by mid-December for any overtime they worked during November.

Acting Executive Director Dimitria Pope suspended overtime payments in late October because the agency had used most of its annual overtime budget during the previous two months.

Officials formed a team to review the overtime system, which they said lacked accountability and consistency.

Officials Tuesday said a shortage of corrections officers contributed to the glut of overtime.

The agency plans to develop a uniform staffing plan by January.