TDCJ overtime boosts economy

A new overtime policy in Palestine will give the local economy a boost of up to $1.85 million annually.

Correctional officers employed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) at Skyview and Hodge Units in Rusk are being allowed to work overtime at three of five units in Palestine.

During June, when the policy was first adopted, Skyview and Hodge employees earned an additional $105,588.

The following month, as news of the policy spread to employees, the collective overtime increased to $150,763 in July.

By August, the figure grew another five percent to $158,712.

TDCJ Warden Todd Foxworth said that more than 100 correctional officers at Skyview and Hodge Units are taking advantage of a policy that allows them to work some of their days off in Palestine and are being paid time-and-a-half for making the commute.

Officers are assigned primarily at the Beto and Coffield Units, although the Michaels Unit is also authorized to participate.

"We have always had an overtime policy for special circumstances, like transporting an offender to UTMB Galveston or for a court hearing," said the warden. "We are using a complex formula on the level of staffing, which is our benchmark of how a facility must be staffed to be adequately secure."

TDCJ policy stipulates that correctional officers working overtime must take at least one personal day off per work cycle.

If an employee is working five days on and two days off, then the officer is allowed to work an additional eight hours per week at one of the Palestine units.

If an employee is working a three-day, 12-hour shift, then an officer can work two days in Palestine.

"This has had some very positive effects from our officers working in Palestine," said Warden Foxworth. "This program is strictly voluntary, and it is giving officers an opportunity to make extra money as the holidays get closer."

He said the inter-relationship with Palestine units is building a camaraderie among the facilities.

"It links us together if there is ever an emergency that requires our facilities to work together."

Currently TDCJ at Skyview and Hodge employs 785 persons, and is funded for 860.

Statewide, TDCJ is actively recruiting more correctional officers.

"If a person has been active in the military for two years, they can receive a starting salary of $28,545 a year and get on the career ladder," said Warden Foxworth.

"The same program is in place for a person with a bachelor's degree."

Generally, starting salaries for TDCJ correctional officers begin at $1,920 per month and go up to $2,828 for a Level 9 correctional position, effective Sept. 1 and reflecting a two percent raise authorized by the legislature. GRAPHIC: CHEROKEEAN HERALD