The state Division of Corrections remains focused on retaining qualified personnel, even under challenges like a wave of retirements, the commissioner told lawmakers.
Commissioner David Kelly appeared before the Oversight Committee on Corrections and Public Safety on Tuesday during legislative interim meetings at the state Capitol.
“The men and women of this agency continue to work together in our mission for public safety,” Kelly said.
Kelly began by saying the corrections agency is experiencing a significant number of retirements — 46 last year and 40 so far this year. “We believe the numbers will reach into the 50s this year,” Kelly said. And he specified the chief of staff, Patrick Morandi, is retiring after more than 30 years.
“So just for a little bit of understanding that could be nearly 100 retirees in ’24 and ’25 and that’s about 3,000 years of experience, when you put it bluntly,” Kelly said.
“We have a deep bench at DCR. We’re planning to move forward and place people in the proper positions. It’s not an easy task, but we will get it done.”
The agency is working to fill vacancies and retain staff, achieving a 77% retention rate in the current fiscal year, with some facilities retaining up to 85%.
He said a pay raise approved by the Legislature for areas of critical vacancy has helped, but recruiting and retention challenges remain.
“Location and proximity to bordering states continue to be the challenge of our efforts to fill and retain in some of our areas,” Kelly said.
Current inmate populations are 4,814 in jails, 4,888 in prisons, 378 in work release, and 297 in juvenile centers.
“We continue to assess our daily population within each facility, and we believe that we are managing our available space to the best of our the best of our ability,” Kelly told lawmakers.