West Virginia Division of Corrections increases officer pay rates

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) — The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) announced Monday that it has approved an increase in special hiring rates that will go into effect immediately.

According to a release, the starting salary for a correctional officer will be raised from $40,000 to $42,900, a 7.2 percent increase. By the end of their second year of service, officers’ salary will be $49,400.

On top of that, the release said that the special rate approved by the State Personnel Board applies to Correctional Officer positions 1-7 across the entire state and that Correctional Officer 1 and 2 positions will see a pay increase after the first six months.

“The West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation is dedicated to fostering a resilient and skilled workforce,” said WV DCR Commissioner William Marshall. “These pay raises are a testament to our commitment to attracting and retaining qualified professionals who are passionate about ensuring public safety and upholding the standards of our correctional facilities.”

The increase in pay comes from a major staffing shortage at correctional facilities across the state, including FCI Hazelton, which granted Direct-Hire Authority for several positions last week. Prisons across West Virginia were also previously placed into a State of Emergency in 2022 due to staffing issues, which led to members of the West Virginia National Guard volunteering to fill the gap.

You can learn more about the DCR here.

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