By Kate Elizabeth Queram
News & Record
GREENSBORO, N.C. — In an effort to halt a chronic staffing shortage in Guilford County’s jails, Sheriff BJ Barnes hopes to implement a bonus that would reward certain employees for longevity, attendance and performance.
The proposal, introduced to the Guilford County Board of Commissioners last week, would apply only to detention officers who work in “pods” within the jail, where 40 to 50 inmates spend much of the day mingling in common areas. It’s grueling, often unpleasant work, Barnes said, and the sheriff’s office struggles to recruit and retain workers for the position.
“These guys are dealing with folks who obviously don’t want to be there and who, sometimes, are not of the best caliber,” Barnes said. “Inmates may see themselves as alpha males. They want to be in charge, but we’re in charge and that puts the officer at a disadvantage.
“There’s one of him and there’s 40 to 50 of them.”
The current turnover rate at the county’s two jails is 21 percent and there are 26 vacant positions out of more than 300, according to Maj. Chuck Williamson, who oversees the detention facilities.
The problem is not unique to Guilford County. Last year, the turnover rate statewide was around 25 percent, according to reports.
Two years ago in Mississippi, 50 percent of correctional officers left their positions.
The nature of the job itself contributes to the struggle, but so do the long hours, low pay and lack of benefits.
In Guilford County, pay rates for correctional officers depend on education and experience, Barnes said. Starting salary is usually around $36,000 plus benefits, though the benefits are less compelling than they used to be.
“A lot of people are telling us in their exit interviews that they’re leaving because of what the county has taken away,” he said. “We used to have a longevity program, where after so many years, in addition to your salary, you’d get longevity pay. We don’t do that for new hires anymore, so that in itself is a problem with regard to retention.”
The proposed bonus could function as a type of longevity pay, Barnes said. Detention officers would only be eligible for the incentive after they’ve worked in the jail for a certain period of time with no absences and no disciplinary issues.
Barnes would fund the initiative with the pool of unused salary money from unfilled positions at the jail, but is still working out other details.
The Guilford County Board of Commissioners approved the measure and authorized county staff to help with planning.
“The nature of the job itself is difficult,” Commissioner Alan Perdue said. “It takes a special person to be able to work in those conditions. There are some factors that impact our ability to recruit for those positions and that needs to be addressed.”
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