The compensation plan proposes pay hikes tied to an expanded career ladder for approximately 28,300 uniformed security staff and 1,500 prison laundry and food managers. Nearly 2,000 parole officers and case managers would also receive raises under the plan. Scott said the proposed pay increases would aid the agency in retaining experienced parole and correctional officers and in filling more than 2,000 correctional officer vacancies statewide.
Retention is the number one priority.
We're having some success in recruitment, but we're emphasizing the fact that it's important to keep an experienced staff. At the same time, it's important for us to retain a seasoned support staff. Bills that would up hazardous duty pay and increase the number of vacation hours workers could earn and carry over from year to year were also introduced early in the legislative session. Scott added that while in Austin he has often spoken with agency employees who, during off-duty hours, are also contacting legislators regarding employee compensation. It is obvious the men and women who work for TDCJ demonstrate just as much professionalism here in the state capitol as they do in their work.