Congressman H. Morgan Griffith | Congressman H. Morgan Griffith official website
Congressman H. Morgan Griffith | Congressman H. Morgan Griffith official website
Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) has joined as a cosponsor of H.R.3199, the Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act. The bill aims to address the issue of lower pay for correctional officers compared to other Bureau of Prisons employees within a 200-mile radius.
In a statement, Congressman Griffith expressed his support for the bill after hearing from the hardworking men and women at U.S. Penitentiary, Lee. He said, "It makes imminent sense to sign on as a cosponsor of this bill. Not only should USP Lee employees receive fair pay for their work, but increasing pay will also allow for the prison to be more competitive with other employers in the area."
Currently, there are 53 General Schedule Locality Areas in the United States where pay is adjusted for cost-of-living. However, some federal prisons, including USP Lee, are located outside of these areas. This discrepancy has led to correctional officers at these facilities receiving lower pay compared to their counterparts in the General Schedule locality pay area.
The Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act seeks to rectify this situation by allowing Bureau of Prisons facilities within 200 miles of the nearest General Schedule locality pay area to offer the same pay rate. This will ensure that correctional officers at these facilities are fairly compensated for their important work.
By cosponsoring this bill, Congressman Griffith is taking a stand for the hardworking correctional officers at USP Lee and other facilities in similar situations. The bill aims to provide them with the pay they deserve, bringing them on par with their colleagues in the General Schedule locality pay area.
The issue of fair pay for correctional officers is crucial not only for the well-being of these dedicated individuals but also for the effective functioning of the prisons. By offering competitive pay, prisons will be able to attract and retain qualified staff, ensuring the safety and security of both the staff and the inmates.
As the Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act moves forward, it is hoped that more lawmakers will recognize the importance of fair pay for correctional officers and lend their support to this critical legislation.
Click this link to access more information: https://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402931
Alerts Sign-up