CONCORD, N.H. — The New Hampshire Department of Corrections is offering a $10,000 hiring bonus in an effort to recruit new corrections officers as the agency faces a significant staffing shortage.
The recruitment incentive is part of a broader plan to address longstanding staffing challenges, WMUR reports. DOC Commissioner Bill Hart said the department currently has a 47% vacancy rate and hopes the bonus will help fill positions quickly.
Executive Councilor Joseph Kenney said while the new incentive is a step in the right direction, it’s only part of the solution.
“Ten thousand dollars, you know, kind of recruitment incentive is a good thing. I’m not going to say it’s a bad thing, but it’s not the cure-all. We have other areas that we need to work on,” Kenney said.
According to the state’s employment website, starting pay for corrections officers is about $26 an hour. With staffing shortages, overtime has become common — something Kenney noted can create additional strain on staff.
“Currently, we have a lot of people working overtime,” Kenney told WMUR. “I think they’re primarily working overtime because that allows them to make more salary, but it’s also a high-pressure environment. So, you really don’t want a lot of people working in an overtime environment because that makes them more susceptible to that environment.”
No prior corrections experience is required to apply. Those interested can visit the New Hampshire Department of Corrections website or call 603-892-8389 for more information.
Think back to when you first started — what would have made you more likely to join or stay in corrections?
