Ron DeSantis, FDC Announce New Bonuses to Recruit Correctional Officers

On Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC) highlighted new bonuses to recruit new correctional officers.

“As so many cities and states choose to disrespect, degrade and defund the work of men and women in uniform, we want Florida to continue valuing them today, tomorrow and for generations to come,” said DeSantis. “This year, we have prioritized initiatives to recruit and reward high quality officers, especially corrections officers, and these new bonuses, effective immediately, will help support public safety positions within the Florida Department of Corrections.”

“Effective immediately new bonus offered,” the governor’s office noted which include “$3,000 new hire bonus for all new correctional officers, $1,000 hiring bonus for correctional officers to join high vacancy institutions, $1,000 hiring bonus for certified correctional officer applicants.”

DeSantis also noted that at the start of the new year, the starting salary for state correctional officers will go up 16 percent to $38,750.

The governor’s office also announced that current officers will also get bonuses next month.

“In addition to an increase in correctional officer salary, all current state correctional officers will receive a one-time $1,500 bonus, and state probation officers will receive a $3,000 bonus December 2021,” the governor’s office noted.