MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation approving a pay raise for certain correctional officers as Alabama faces a federal court order to increase prison staff.
The bill signed Wednesday also expands bonuses and creates a payout program for unused annual leave.
Ivey says the legislation is “an important step in fully staffing our correctional facilities.”
The bill’s sponsor, Democrat Rep. Chris England, says the bill will help retain current officers and recruit new ones.
A federal judge has ordered the department to add about 2,200 correctional officers.
The U.S. Department of Justice said the staffing shortage was one of the key factors behind violent and unconstitutional conditions in state prisons.
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