MDOC ramps up recruiting efforts with higher pay for officers

The Mississippi Department of Corrections is seeking to hire more officers with a 10% increase in salaries and benefits, the MDOC said in press release. 

Commissioner Burl Cain said the top priority at MDOC is offering quality candidates opportunities to move up fast in both careers and pay scales. 

“This substantial salary increase will help us attract people who will really invest back into our vision and goal for what MDOC will become,” Cain said in the press statement. “This is the first step of many in ramping up our recruiting efforts.”

With recruitment moving forward, various positions are currently open including corporal officers, sergeants, captains, and majors the press release states. Each position contains different education and experience requirements.

In addition, a retirement plan, medical, dental, and vision insurance are all-inclusive for full-time employees, MDOC said in the statement. Paid on-the-job training, vacation and sick leave also are among the benefits. 

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The starting salary for a corporal officer now starts at $36,000; a sergeant starts at $40,000; a captain starts at over $42,000 and a major starts at $47,000, the press release states. Benefits packages can range from about $17,000 to over $20,000 each year. MDOC has put a heavy focus on recruiting and training as the department continues to make improvements.