The Montana Department of Corrections and the union for state corrections officers have come to an agreement on raising pay.
According to the department, corrections officers at the state prison in Deer Lodge will see a $2 an hour raise and changes to the prison’s employee grievance procedure as a result of union negotiations. Starting wages at the prison were about $16 an hour before this agreement.
In January, the Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge reportedthat 18% of corrections officer positions were vacant. Department of Corrections Director Brian Gootkin has told lawmakers that low pay is to blame for the staffing shortage. He said that shortage led to the assault of an officer.
On Thursday, Gootkin said he hopes the pay raise will help recruit and retain corrections officers.