Addressing Compensation Challenges for Correctional Officers and Deputy Sheriffs in Virginia
Explore the recommendations and findings of a workgroup focused on addressing compensation issues for correctional officers and deputy sheriffs in Virginia. Learn about the background, trends in starting pay, vacancies, turnover rates, and staffing shortages faced by the Virginia Department of Corrections. Understand the critical need for improving compensation to attract and retain experienced staff in correctional facilities.
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Presentation Transcript
Overview of Recommendations of Workgroup Addressing Compensation for Correctional Officers and Deputy Sheriffs Joint Committee Studying Staffing Levels, Employment Conditions, and Compensation at the Virginia Department of Corrections Presented By: Michael Jay, House Appropriations Committee Staff November 23, 2021
Background on Workgroup The workgroup was authorized in Chapter 1 of 2021 Special Session II to address compensation for correctional officers, deputy sheriffs and regional jail officers Workgroup was established, along with the workgroup evaluating state police compensation, in response to a significant increase in turnover and vacancies in public safety agencies since the pandemic Chapter 1 also included $23.6 million in ARPA funds for a $3,000 bonus for correctional officers at the Department of Corrections (DOC) in FY 2022 with the understanding the bonuses would be followed by a detailed compensation proposal VIRGINIA HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE Chairman Luke E. Torian 2
Correctional Officer Starting Pay A review of starting pay for over time shows that pay was stagnant in the first half of the last decade and there has been some catch up since 2014 The General Assembly provided targeted salary increases adjusting starting pay for CO s during FY 2016 and again in FY 2019 Starting Pay 07/2009 DOC $27,485 07/2014 $28,035 07/2021 $35,064 Annualized Rate of Growth 07/2009 07/2014 0.40% Annualized Rate of Growth 07/2014 07/2021 3.80% VIRGINIA HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE Chairman Luke E. Torian 3 3
The Department of Corrections Has Faced Dramatic Increase in Vacancies Between FY 2018 and 2020, the average number of Correctional Officer (CO) vacancies averaged 668 a month Since May 2020, the number of vacancies has increased by 60 a month and currently there are 1,680 vacancies out of 6,145 positions (27% vacancy rate) One correctional facility had a 54% turnover rate in CY 2020 and another facility had a 46% turnover rate VIRGINIA HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE Chairman Luke E. Torian 4
DOC Facilities Face a Severe Shortage of Experienced Staff Currently, 24% of DOC s security staff have 2 years or less of experience Almost 45% of staff have less than 5 years of experience While DOC has always had to rely significantly on new hires, the number of applications for positions has decreased significantly In CY 2017, the Department received an average of 3,550 applications for employment per month In CY 2020, the average was 2,360 per month and this dropped to 2,170 per month in the first quarter of 2021 Even among those who apply, DOC is facing increasing difficulties with applicants passing drug tests VIRGINIA HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE Chairman Luke E. Torian 5
Workgroup Recommendation The workgroup recommendation regarding compensation changes for the DOC would increase starting pay, provide a compression adjustment for current staff, and create a career progression ladder Proposed Increase in Starting Salary Rank CO Sergeant Lieutenant Captain Major Current Starting Salary $35,064 $40,347 $44,382 $48,821 $53,703 Proposed Compression Adjustment Length of Service 3 to 5 years 5 or more years $600 plus ($100 per year of service, up to 30 yrs.) 3 or more years $1,500 plus ($100 per year of service, up to 30 yrs.) Proposed Starting Salary $44,000 $48,400 $53,240 $58,564 $64,420 Rank CO CO Alignment plus Compression $300 plus $50 per year of service Sergeant-Major VIRGINIA HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE Chairman Luke E. Torian 6
Department of Corrections Career Progression Ladder Proposal VIRGINIA HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE Chairman Luke E. Torian 7
Cost of Potential Salary Actions ($ in millions) Staff Action Annual Cost $26.4 Correctional Officers Supervisors COs Supervisors VADOC staff Security positions (1,550 vacancies) * Increase CO minimum Increase Supervisor minimum Address compression Address compression Career Progression Ladder Address vacancies 5.5 5.4 2.8 12.0 16.6 Total Cost $68.7 * Assumes VADOC will be able to fill all vacancies, which historical trends indicate has not been achieved VIRGINIA HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE Chairman Luke E. Torian 8
