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Mississippi Dept. of Corrections hope...

Mississippi Dept. of Corrections hope higher salaries will help in officer recruitment

By: Frank Corder - July 5, 2022

“Good employees are the foundation of a positive environment for everyone,” Commissioner Burl Cain says.

Looking for a job?  The Mississippi Department of Corrections is raising salaries and hopes to attract candidates for their open positions.

As of July 1, correctional officers and case managers at the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) will see a 10% percent increase in their salaries.

The base salary for a corporal officer now starts at just over $36,000; for a sergeant it is over $40,000; for a captain it is over $42,000; and for a major it starts over $47,000.

In addition, benefits packages can range from about $17,000 to over $20,000 each year.

The new salary increase comes on the heels of other increases at MDOC since January 1, 2022.

MDOC has put a heavy focus on recruiting and training as the department continues to make improvements.

MDOC Commissioner Burl Cain

“One of MDOC’s top priorities is offering quality candidates real opportunities to move up fast in both careers and pay scales,” MDOC Commissioner Burl Cain said in a release.  “This substantial salary increase will help us attract people who will really invest back into our vision and goal for what MDOC will become. This is the first step of many in ramping up our recruiting efforts.”

MDOC is hiring for several positions, each with different education and experience requirements. In addition to the new salaries, a retirement plan, medical, dental and vision insurance are available for full-time employees. Paid on-the-job training, vacation, and sick leave also are among the benefits.

“We’ve worked nonstop for over two years to get these increases approved,” continued Commissioner Cain, “and now we have them to the benefit of our workforce and to the public at large because as we hire and train more officers, our prisons become safer. We are focused on creating a positive work culture where honest, hardworking people want to come and be a part of a new MDOC focusing on constant improvements. Good employees are the foundation of a positive environment for everyone.”

Interested candidates should email mdocrecruitment@mdoc.state.ms.us to learn more.

About the Author(s)
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Frank Corder

For nearly two decades, Frank Corder has reported and offered analysis on government, public policy, elections, business and matters of faith. He is the Editor for Magnolia Tribune where he oversees the day-to-day content development. Frank’s interviews, articles, and columns have been syndicated throughout Mississippi as well as in various national publications. His resume includes appearances on the BBC, CBS News, ABC News, and Fox News, among others. Frank is a frequent analyst on radio and television, providing insight and commentary on the inner workings of the Magnolia State and beyond. During his career, Frank has interviewed government officials and candidates from City Halls to the White House, including Presidential candidates, White House officials, U.S. Senators, Congressmen, Cabinet Secretaries, and Governors. He previously hosted his own local radio and television programs and has managed private businesses in the financial, hospitality, and retail sectors. Frank has served his community as an elected City Councilman and as an Assistant/Acting City Manager. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, he led the effort to plan Pascagoula's recovery and rebuilding which earned him recognition as Mississippi's Volunteer of the Year. Frank also led Pascagoula's municipal government out of a $14.5 million deficit, which the Mississippi State Auditor heralded as a model for other communities facing dire financial straits. As the president of the Pascagoula High School Quarterback Club, Frank has self-published "The Book of Pascagoula Football." He has been married for over 25 years and has two children, both of whom work in public education. Email Frank: frank@magnoliatribune.com