The Florida Department of Corrections is expanding its recruitment incentives by offering a $1,000 hiring bonus to eligible correctional officers at 13 correctional institutions across the state.
According to the department, eligible new correctional officers at select institutions may also qualify for an existing $5,000 retention bonus, bringing the total available incentives to as much as $6,000.
Institutions with a $6,000 bonus include:
- Apalachee CI (Sneads)
- Florida State Prison (Raiford)
- Franklin CI (Carabelle)
- Gulf CI (Wewahitchka)
- Hamilton CI (Jasper)
- Jackson CI (Malone)
- Liberty CI (Bristol)
- Northwest Florida Reception Center (Chipley)
- Okeechobee CI (Okeechobee)
- Santa Rosa CI (Milton)
- Taylor CI (Perry)
The department said officers become eligible for the bonuses after receiving certification through the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission.
“The Florida Department of Corrections is committed to investing in the men and women who choose to serve and support Florida’s public safety mission,” Assistant Deputy Secretary of Institutions Hope Gartman said in a statement.
Gartmen added that a career in corrections offers competitive pay, employee benefits, opportunities for advancement, and the chance to make a meaningful impact on public safety.
According to the FDC, newly hired correctional officers earn a starting salary of $22 per hour and receive paid training, high-risk retirement benefits, State of Florida employee benefits, and opportunities for career advancement.
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