The Alabama House of Representatives has approved a pay raise for correctional officers pay as Alabama faces a federal court order to increase prison staff.

Representatives on Tuesday night voted 92-0 for the bill that gives officers a 5% pay increase, expands bonuses and creates a payout program for unused annual leave.Rep. Chris England (D-Tuscaloosa) said the changes could be worth about $10,000 in additional pay for officers.

A federal judge has ordered the department to add about 2,200 correctional officers.

The U.S. Department of Justice said the staffing shortage was one of the key factors behind violent and unconstitutional conditions in state prisons.
(Associated Press, copyright 2018)

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