By C1 Staff
FRANKFORT, Ky. — The Kentucky Department of Corrections is increasing correctional officer compensation in hopes of attracting more candidates and persuading current employees to stay.
The Northern Kentucky Tribune reports that there will be a pay raise for security staff; hazardous duty, non-security staff will be moved to 40-hour work weeks; and implement a monthly stipend for CERT members.
A Personnel Cabinet review found that the state’s correctional officers and hazardous duty workers were being paid at below market rates compared to nearby states, which was believed lined to staff turnover and difficulty hiring new officers.
Turnover rates are currently at 66.7 percent.
The starting salary for correctional officers will be raised by 13.1 percent, bringing the entrance pay from $23,346 to $26,400, with larger increases for sergeants, lieutenants and captains.
The new structure also sets across-the-board salary increases for existing staff and will impact security staff at the Kentucky Correctional Psychiatric Center.
All institutional hazardous duty, non-security staff will be converted from a 37.5-hour schedule to a 40-hour work week, which is the equivalent of a 6.67 percent compensation increase.
CERT members will receive a $50 monthly maintenance stipend to compensate them for additional training and responsibilities required.
The new salary will take effect June 16, while the rest is expected to be effective Aug. 16.
All changes are expected to cost $12.4 million annually.