Correctional and community re-entry services organisation The Geo Group has increased the minimum starting wage for 7,400 correctional and detention officers working across all of its US-based facilities, with further plans to raise wages to $15 (£11.83) an hour by 2021.
The organisation awarded correctional and detention officers in the US an initial pay increase of $13 (£10.25) an hour on 1 May 2019. This will rise to $14 (£11.04) an hour by 1 January 2020, with a final increase to $15 ($11.85) an hour effective on 1 January 2021.
George Zoley, chairman and chief executive officer at The Geo Group, said: “We are pleased to take these important steps to increase our correctional and detention officer minimum starting wage rates. As an employer of approximately 23,000 employees worldwide, we recognise the importance of employee pay, working conditions and total compensation. These new minimum starting wage rates will set [The Geo Group] apart from other organisations and will allow us to recruit the best and most talented employees.
“Furthermore, we are thankful that the average hourly wage for all non-exempt hourly employees, inclusive of our federal and state contracts, is presently $18.30 [(£14.43)] per hour; well ahead of our new minimum starting wage rates.
“Our diverse workforce plays a critical role in the delivery of high-quality services and humane care to all those entrusted to us, and our employees are integral members of the communities in which our facilities and programmes are located across the country.”
The Geo Group owns and manages approximately 135 facilities across the US, Australia, South Africa and the UK. It employs around 23,000 members of staff in these domains.