The Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) will celebrate the largest correctional officer graduation in years on Thursday. Sixty trainees will graduate from the Alabama Criminal Justice Training Center at Wallace State.
“This large graduating class represents a significant amount of effort that has gone into our Recruiting and Retention strategies at the ADOC,” said commissioner John Hamm. “It’s encouraging to think we are turning the corner on hiring the additional officers we need. “
The last time ADOC had a graduating class with more than 50 trainees was in 2019. In recent years, Law enforcement agencies have been struggling with hiring and retention. Many agencies have increased starting salaries.
For ADOC, the starting salary is now $51,727.20. The salary for maximum security facilities is even higher, with a starting rate of $56,971 a year. After 18 months of employment, officers get a 27% pay increase.
After a recent overhaul of salaries by the State Personnel Department, ADOC said more candidates applied for positions.
“This large class is a direct result of the recruiting efforts and starting salary increase that became effective March 16, 2023,” a press release from ADOC stated. “The ADOC worked closely with the State Personnel Department, with the full support of Governor Kay Ivey, to overhaul salaries paid to existing and prospective employees in ADOC’s Correctional Officer classification series.“
Training is 10 weeks, and graduates receive Alabama Peace Officers’ Standard and Training Commission (APOSTC) certification.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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