South Dakota correctional officers getting pay raises

(The Middle Sq.) – The beginning wage for South Dakota correctional officers will improve from $20 an hour to $23.50 an hour starting instantly, Gov. Kristi Noem mentioned Thursday.

“These everlasting pay will increase will help us with recruiting and retaining high quality correctional safety officers,” Noem mentioned in a information launch. “These will increase present officers our appreciation for his or her service to our state. Sec. [Kellie]Wasko and I’ll proceed to give attention to fixing issues and prioritizing the safety of each our correctional officers and the inmates that they handle.”

Safety officers will obtain raises that may increase their pay to as much as $28 an hour, in accordance with the information launch.

“That is the newest step to enhance security and the general tradition at DOC. We’re pleased with our corrections staff and grateful for his or her service,” mentioned Kellie Wasko, Secretary of the Division of Corrections. “Our Division has made large progress prior to now a number of months. There’s nonetheless a lot work left to do, together with newer and safer amenities, and we’re dedicated to getting that completed.”

Lawmakers are presently finding out the state jail system. At a gathering of the Incarceration Building Fund Legislative Activity Drive held final month, the Division of Corrections mentioned a 1,372-bed correctional facility and a brand new feminine group work middle in Speedy Metropolis are wanted.

The state’s inmate inhabitants is predicted to rise reasonably over the following 20 years, in accordance with a report from a guide.