Recruitment
The Recruitment section is dedicated to strategies and best practices for attracting and hiring qualified candidates in the correctional field. This directory offers articles and resources on effective recruitment techniques, workforce diversity, and the challenges of staffing correctional facilities. Understanding the recruitment process is essential for building a strong, capable team that meets the demands of the correctional environment. For more on career development, explore our section on Corrections1 Career Resources.
A new 10-week training program and $60K starting salary are helping the Horry County Sheriff’s Office recruit and retain younger correctional officers
The firing of over 2,000 correctional officers in early 2025 pushed the statewide vacancy rate from 13.3% to 27.4%
Pennington County Jail officials credit collaboration across county departments, increased wages and mentorship for ending staffing gap
Ignoring minor requests isn’t harmless — it’s fueling the recruitment and retention crisis in corrections
The Pintler Meadows development will provide 25 homes for Department of Corrections employees, with rent later applied toward down payment assistance
Trained civilians can be highly effective in programs and services such as educational and vocational training, recreation, and treatment
Agencies that assess and develop grit in correctional officers can improve performance, reduce burnout and build a more resilient workforce
A research-backed tool to improve recruitment and retention outcomes
Lateral hires at the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office will now receive 240 hours of leave, while new detention cooks can earn a $10,000 bonus under revised policies
Learn how public safety agencies can overcome recruitment roadblocks with real-world strategies rooted in leadership, transparency and cultural change
Discover why the departments that treat recruiting like marketing are winning — and how to follow their lead
The bonuses are funded by nearly $200 million in federal fines imposed over California’s failure to meet mental health staffing mandates in prisons
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly explains how A&E’s “Booked: First Day In” is helping bust myths, boost morale and bring new recruits through the jailhouse doors
The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office and union say earlier entry helps build careers while tackling persistent staffing shortages
By opening the door to younger applicants, the Massachusetts DOC aims to create long-term career opportunities and address immediate staffing needs
Corrections officers are urging state leaders to finalize a hybrid pension plan they say will improve recruitment and retention in prisons
The Sgt. Mickey Hutchens Act allows law enforcement, including prison and parole staff, to buy up to four years of retirement time tied to training or education
With turnover rates soaring and lawsuits looming, continuous training offers a cost-effective path to retention, morale and safer correctional facilities
A 20% drop in prison staffing nationwide has left safety, rehabilitation and lives at risk — and leaders scrambling for solutions
Michigan Department of Corrections officials say targeted recruitment helped graduate the largest CO class since 2015
Traditional recruiting messages no longer resonate with today’s workforce. Here’s how agencies are using storytelling, digital engagement and technology to connect with candidates
As it works to improve prison healthcare, ODOC is contracting nurses, increasing off-site medical trips and holding town halls with inmates to address healthcare gaps
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Corrections officer vacancies have fallen from 10.5% to 4.8% after recruitment events, military outreach and lowering the age requirement from 21 to 18 expanded the applicant pool
Mobile devices offer a potential productivity boost for corrections staff, but their risks to institutional security demand careful integration and trust-building policies
Check out the police recruitment videos inspiring the next generation of officers — plus, find out which video readers voted as their favorite!
Corrections professionals reflect on the toughest challenges of 2024 and the innovative solutions shaping the future
The Virginia SkillBridge Program enabled Phillip Williams to transition from military service to a civilian role as a probation and parole officer
Correctional Officer Gloria Balderas said her father, a sergeant with CDCR, inspired her to have a career in corrections to create a future for her and her daughter
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