Metro Corrections reaches agreement with city on pay raises

Louisville corrections officers will receive an 8% pay raise under an agreement that comes after monthslong negotiations between Metro Corrections and the officers’ union.

The agreement, which Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer announced Friday evening, increases correction officers' starting pay to $44,346. The 8% raise will be given to all sworn officers.

Also included in the deal are $2,000 retention bonuses and $5,000 of premium pay.

“Corrections officers work hard and deserve this pay raise," said Metro Corrections Director Dwayne Clark. "We are committed to recruiting qualified persons, and I believe this is a good step in the right direction."

Related: Fischer leaves door open for further investigations after fifth death at jail in six weeks

FOP Corrections Union Lodge 77 previously negotiated 2% raises last July, with another 2% raise expected this July. Those are in addition to the 8% boost.

The agreement between the city and FOP "also includes steps to improve accountability for Corrections employees, similar to some of the reforms seen in the police contract."

Metro Corrections is facing increased scrutiny after five people died at its facilities over a six-week span, with the first three happening within a week of each other in late 2021.

The first death occurred Nov. 29 after Kenneth Hall, 59, was found unresponsive in a housing unit, according to the coroner and jail officials. Four days later Rickitta Smith, 34, was also found unresponsive and pronounced dead at University of Louisville Hospital. Then on Dec. 4, Stephanie Dunbar, 48, died by suicide.

Two more deaths followed, including Garry Wetherill, 51, on Dec. 30, and Keith Smith, 66, on Jan. 9. Fischer noted that around three deaths are usually recorded at the jail in a typical year.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky has also called on LMDC to institute changes.

"Our question for Mayor Fischer, Corrections officials, Louisville Metro Council and actors in Louisville’s criminal legal system is, what will you do today to address this crisis?” Amber Duke, the ACLU of Kentucky’s deputy director, has said.

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Staffing at Louisville's jail has emerged as a critical issue. FOP Lodge 77 President Daniel Johnson has said "over 150 vacancies" exist within the department, and with more employees, "we could offer a far better service and closer observation of those in our care."

Johnson said Metro Corrections has lost 17 sworn staff — eight of those due to retirement — since November. He said officers are working 16 hours a day and having to cover multiple positions.

This agreement with the city is "a step in the right direction to begin addressing the staffing issues at Metro Corrections,” Johnson said.

Contact Ayana Archie at aarchie@courier-journal.com or follow on Twitter @AyanaArchie. Support strong local journalism by subscribing to The Courier Journal.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville Metro Corrections officers to get raises in new contract