Madison, WI – Today, Senator Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac), released the following statement after the Joint Committee on Finance took action yesterday to raise wages for security personnel at the Department of Corrections (DOC):
“The safety of correctional officers working in these vital roles is constantly threatened by the alarmingly high vacancy rates at the DOC. I’ve heard this from the many officers in our district, and I’ve seen it myself in numerous visits to the institutions. This session I have been working with my colleagues in the legislature to take meaningful action on pay for DOC employees to increase recruitment and retention at the agency.
“Yesterday, the Joint Committee on Finance in their final executive session on the 2023-25 state budget approved a monumental $344 million to adequately compensate our state’s correctional officers. The starting wage for security personnel will increase to $33/hour, with adjustments for current staff. The add-ons for both understaffed facilities and maximum security institutions will continue, along with a newly created add-on for medium security institutions.
“Over the past several months the Joint Committee on Finance has been working to build a budget that keeps us on strong financial footing while funding our key priorities. I am excited that the legislature’s final budget will include a key investment in these individuals who play such a vital role in our state’s public safety.
“The next step in the process will be approval of the full budget on the floor of both the Senate and Assembly. Finally, the budget will be sent to the Governor.”
