By Corrections1 Staff
MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers is proposing a pay increase for state corrections officers this week in his budget address.
Wisconsin’s current $16 per hour salary for COs falls well below the regional average of $22, Urban Milwaukee reports.
During a hearing last Wednesday, secretary-designee Kevin Carr said the Department of Corrections continues to struggle with staffing shortages. According to Carr, the state has a 16 percent staff vacancy for COs and sergeants.
“I believe the governor is going to address this issue in a very significant way,” he said.
Carr warned against the expectation of a large increase.
“We did not get in this situation overnight and we’re not going to get out of it overnight,” he said.