In the News

New legislation introduced this week by U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright would revise pay rates for Federal Bureau of Prisons employees.

Cartwright, D-Moosic, on Wednesday introduced the Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act, which would revise locality pay rates for federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) employees, including correctional officers at the U.S. Penitentiary, Canaan, in Wayne County.

According to information provided Cartwright’s office, the Pay Our Correctional Officers Fairly Act would address staffing and retention problems facing BOP facilities by allowing for competitive pay that considers factors such as cost-of-living, commute times, and the hard work and dedication of correctional officers.

Specifically, BOP facilities located within 200 miles of the nearest General Schedule (GS) locality pay area would be eligible to pay their staff higher, more competitive wages.

“Correctional officers put their lives on the line every day to meet inmates’ needs and keep our communities safe,” Cartwright said. “The value they add to civil society must be adequately reciprocated.”

Cartwright, Ranking Member of the Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Subcommittee, added, “This much-needed pay increase will help address critical staffing shortages at USP Canaan and federal prisons across the country and will serve as an investment in the safety of the brave correction officers who go to work in them every day.”