Jail board urges 15% market pay adjustment, 3% merit increase to stem staff vacancies

The Prince William Manassas Regional Jail Board voted to recommend the Board of County Supervisors increase sworn staff pay by a 15% market adjustment and a 3% merit increase in fiscal year 2024, a proposal intended to address severe recruitment and retention problems at the detention center.

Captain Baguna presented Resolution 2023-1, citing 86 sworn vacancies and a starting jail officer salary of $50,000 compared with an average starting salary of $57,357 in nearby jurisdictions. He said the adjustments are aimed at improving recruitment and retention and noted that other jurisdictions offer higher certified-employee incentives.

Board debate focused on the size and framing of the request. Several board members and the superintendent warned that continued attrition was forcing operational changes: modular housing remains closed due to vacancies, the facility has increased double-bunking and mandatory overtime, and the superintendent said recent turnover could lead to program reductions or unit closures if left unaddressed. One board member suggested making a non-numeric parity request to avoid pitting employee groups against each other; proponents countered that a clear percentage communicates the urgency to the Board of Supervisors.

The board took a roll-call vote and the recommendation passed with all present members voting aye. The action is a request to the Board of County Supervisors rather than a direct change to salaries; the supervisors will consider compensation adjustments as part of the county budget process.

What happens next: The recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of County Supervisors for their budget deliberations. Board members asked staff to continue outreach to supervisors and to provide documentation of vacancies, recruiting costs and comparative pay data to support the request.