By Corrections1 Staff
CHARLESTON, W. Va. — West Virginia lawmakers promised to fix the pay gap for corrections staff after a state of emergency was declared for correctional facilities in the state.
WOWK-TV reports that there are nearly 500 openings for corrections officers across the state. Many have said pay is a large factor in the staffing crisis. COs in the state make an average of $28,000 per year, while the starting pay is typically $20,000, according to SOKANU.
The states surrounding West Virginia and federal facilities in the state pay their offers significantly more, resulting in many COs leaving their jobs and working in those states. As a result, many lawmakers from both parties agree that a pay increase will help with retention.
“It’s not for the faint of heart and you have to compensate people to voluntarily, willingly go into that environment, day in and day out, stay away from their families and endure what they have to endure,” Democratic Del. Rodney Miller said.
Del. Ron Walters, a Republican, echoed Miller’s response and said the state needs to have competitive pay in order to retain and hire new officers.