A group of correctional officers at the Federal Correctional Institution in Englewood, Colorado have taken a stand for fair wages and better working conditions by walking out and picketing the prison.

These officers, who are responsible for maintaining safety and security within the prison, are facing challenges such as low staffing levels and excessive overtime hours.

According to the officers, the prison is currently short nearly 50 positions, with a majority of those vacancies being for correctional officers. This shortage has led to non-officers being assigned to officer duties, which poses a significant risk to both staff and inmates.

The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) Local 709, which oversees the Council of Prison Locals #33, has outlined 12 points to highlight the workers' concerns.

One of the main demands is the implementation of a retention incentive equal to 25% of the positions' pay. The union points out that certain departments within the prison have already adopted this incentive and have successfully staffed their teams.

Despite appeals from staff members and elected officials to the Bureau of Prisons, the retention incentive has not been implemented. The Federal Bureau of Prisons acknowledges the staffing challenges faced by the agency but does not comment specifically on the picket. They have emphasized their commitment to addressing these challenges through a national recruitment strategy.

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When comparing the salaries of correctional officers to other law enforcement positions, the disparity becomes evident.

Correctional officer positions at the Federal Correctional Institution have an annual salary rate of approximately $54,720, or about $4,560 per month. In contrast, Denver deputy sheriffs can earn between $51,180 and $71,318 annually, while entry-level police recruits in the city and county of Denver earn $68,877 per year.