USP Thomson has been cleared to directly hire Correctional Officers, as approved by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM.) This will help the prison address staff shortages, by reducing the backlog of applications and speeding the hiring process. Up-to-65 new Correctional Officers are needed.
The OPM made the adjustment due to pressure from Democratic Illinois Senators Tammy Duckworth and Dick Durbin and U. S. Representative Cheri Bustos. Lawmakers requested the Bureau of Prisons to allow local hiring. Their efforts also secured a 10% Retention Pay Bonus for all employees, to help curtail staff turnover, as well as accelerated promotions for Correctional Officers.
It builds upon the Lawmakers’ work to boost staffing at the facility, such as advocating for increased locality pay and proper precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Last November, the Lawmakers successfully secured a 25% Recruitment Bonus for new hires at the facility. They continue their push for a 25% Retention Bonus, aligned with the request of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 4070.
“This announcement is a critical step forward in bringing new talent to Thomson, in order to address their staffing needs, strengthen the local workforce, and support our community’’s economy,” stated Congresswoman Bustos. “I’m pleased the Bureau of Prisons has granted our requests to provide the hiring process a boost and cut through red tape. I thank Senators Durbin and Duckworth for their partnership on this issue and will continue to work alongside them, to put forward initiatives to recruit and retain staff.”
Said Senator Durbin, “Now, USP Thomson can remedy its hiring shortage and ensure that the facility is properly staffed with guards, medical professionals, teachers, and administrators, to more effectively address the needs of inmates and fully implement the First Step Act. [This] announcement is welcome news.”