West Virginia corrections officials have hired 730 new jail and prison guards since the Legislature passed pay raises in March
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia corrections officials have hired 730 new jail and prison guards since the Legislature passed pay raises in March.
The Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety says in a news release that even before the raises become law July 1, they have prompted a boost in recruiting officers and staff at chronically understaffed facilities.
Lawmakers gave jail and prison guards a 5 percent raise, plus an additional $2,000 annually for three years.
Before Gov. Jim Justice proposed the raises, corrections agencies struggled to replace department officers.
Most Read Nation & World Stories
The statement says the new hirings include 231 in the prison system, 410 in regional jails and 80 in the Division of Juvenile Services. Since March 6 the hirings have reduced the number of vacancies in those areas by 67 percent.