Madison, Wis. – More than 200 new correctional officers will soon begin work at Wisconsin Department of Corrections (DOC) facilities statewide as efforts to recruit and train security staff gain momentum. DOC continues to see record-setting numbers of officers graduate from its six-week training academy known as the Facility Staff Training and Support (FSTS) Program. The 214 graduates, who are part of one of the department’s largest classes, were celebrated at a graduation event held Wednesday at Madison College. “Our staff is the department’s greatest asset and the best tool we have to help the persons in our care rehabilitate and to keep our communities safe,” said DOC Secretary Kevin Carr. “Graduating more than 200 new officers in our latest class is a historic moment for our agency.” Applications for security staff grew following the passage of a new compensation plan included in Governor Tony Evers’ biennial budget and approved by the State Legislature. The plan set starting pay at $33 per hour for correctional officers. Starting pay can be as high as $41 per hour for some locations and shifts. The latest influx of staff will further decrease the DOC’s vacancy rate among correctional officers and sergeants, which was as high as 35% in August of 2023. Currently the vacancy rate is 26%, which does not account for the incoming recruits. The DOC has used walk-in hiring events, social media, television, radio and direct mail advertising to attract job seekers statewide. The November and December graduations each welcomed nearly 150 new recruits. In total, the DOC graduated more than 600 uniformed staff from the eight FSTS academies held in 2023 and is on track to surpass that number in 2024. The FSTS academy includes a comprehensive curriculum of both classroom education and on-the-job training. Following graduation, the recruits will report to their assigned facilities throughout Wisconsin. The latest class will add staff to facilities with the highest vacancy rates, including Kettle Moraine Correctional Institution (21 new officers), Waupun Correctional Institution (nine), Fox Lake Correctional Institution (nine) and Green Bay Correctional Institution (six). Waupun (WCI) continues to receive 33 officers from other facilities through the Supplemental Staffing Plan. The additional staff has helped WCI sustain a more predictable operations schedule while maintaining safety for staff and persons in our care.
