SE Texas Times

Washington, D.C. - On May 10, U.S. Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14) introduced the Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act, which would revise locality pay rates for federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) employees. The Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act would address staffing and retention problems facing BOP facilities by allowing for competitive pay that considers factors such as cost-of-living, commute times, and the hard work and dedication of our correctional officers.  Specifically, BOP facilities located within 200 miles of the nearest General Schedule (GS) locality pay area would be eligible to pay their staff higher, more competitive wages.  Our correctional officers work to keep our communities safe, and the value they add to civil society must be adequately reciprocated.

"Our correctional officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe and our prisons secure," said Rep. Randy Weber (TX-14). "They deserve to be compensated fairly for their tireless service. This bill would provide a much-needed pay increase to federal correctional officers, including those at the Beaumont Federal Prison in my district and facilities nationwide. It's a common-sense measure that will help us retain and recruit highly qualified officers and show our appreciation for their hard work and dedication."

“Correctional officers and prison employees put their lives on the line every day to meet inmates’ needs and keep our communities safe,” said Rep. Matt Cartwright (PA-08). “This much-needed pay increase will help address critical staffing shortages at federal prisons across the country and will serve as an investment in the safety of the brave correction officers who go to work in them every day.”

"The National Council of Prison Locals applauds the efforts of both Congressman Weber and Congressman Cartwright in the bipartisan work to support the Correctional Officers and Professionals of the Federal Bureau of Prisons," said the President of the National Council of Prison Locals, Shane Fausey. "The common challenge in the nation's federal prison system is the inability to compete in an economic environment, adversely affecting the ability to recruit and retain qualified federal law enforcement officers. Our rural facilities cannot compete with neighboring urban markets and climbing rates of inflation. Elevated rates of prison violence and systemic dysfunction, caused by a staffing crisis of epic proportions, can be curtailed by passing the Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act. The human consequences of the status quo are not acceptable and the American people deserve better."

Cosponsors include: Reps. Matt Cartwright (PA-08), Bryon Donalds (FL-19), Clay Higgins (LA-03), Rick Crawford (AR-01), Don Bacon (NE-02), Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), David Trone (MD-06), Maria Salazar (FL-27), Larry Bucshon (IN-08), Pete Stauber (MN-08), and Mike Bost (IL-12). 

Read the bill here.

Original source can be found here.