Idaho offers higher pay to get, retain correctional officers

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — State officials are boosting pay and offering bonuses to try to attract and maintain correctional officers. The Idaho Department of Correction says 24% of its correctional officer positions were vacant last month, including 190 vacancies at its prisons in Kuna. New correctional officers will receive $19 an hour, up from the previous $16.75. New hires will also get $1,500 bonuses and be eligible for $1,500 yearly retention bonuses during their first five years. Current employees will get hourly raises ranging from 75 cents an hour for wardens to $2.25 for correctional officers starting Sept. 5. On Oct. 15, all current correctional officers will receive $1,500 one-time retention bonuses.