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HOUSE BILL NO. _____

Offered January 2027

A BILL to improve compensation, employee wellness, mental health resources, and paid leave for correctional officers employed by the Virginia Department of Corrections.

Patron—

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Virginia Department of Corrections shall implement policies and programs designed to improve the recruitment, retention, health, and overall well-being of correctional officers employed by the Commonwealth.

1. Legislative Findings.

The General Assembly finds that correctional officers perform an essential public safety function under conditions that frequently include exposure to violence, trauma, emergency incidents, mandatory overtime, staffing shortages, and prolonged occupational stress. Such conditions may negatively affect employee health, job performance, recruitment, retention, and institutional safety.

The General Assembly further finds that investing in correctional officer compensation, mental health services, and employee wellness contributes to a safer correctional environment for employees, incarcerated persons, and the public.

2. Competitive Compensation.

A. The Department of Corrections shall establish and maintain a compensation plan designed to provide salaries for correctional officers that are competitive with those offered by neighboring states and other comparable correctional systems.

B. Salary adjustments shall be determined based upon:

1. Regional salary comparisons;
2. Years of service and experience;
3. Cost-of-living considerations;
4. Recruitment and retention needs; and
5. Available appropriations approved by the General Assembly.

C. It is the intent of the General Assembly that compensation remain competitive in order to reduce vacancies, improve employee retention, decrease mandatory overtime, and attract qualified applicants to the profession.

3. Correctional Officer Mental Health Program.

A. The Department shall establish a comprehensive mental health and wellness program for all correctional officers.

B. Such program shall include:

1. Access to licensed mental health professionals experienced in treating first responders and correctional personnel;
2. Confidential counseling services;
3. Critical incident stress debriefings following traumatic events;
4. Peer-support services;
5. Stress management and resilience training; and
6. Family support resources when appropriate.

C. Mental health services provided pursuant to this section shall be available on a voluntary basis and shall not adversely affect an employee's performance evaluation, promotional opportunities, or employment status solely because the employee sought assistance.

4. Confidential and Anonymous Mental Health Access.

A. The Department shall establish secure and confidential methods through which correctional officers may obtain mental health services.

B. Such methods shall include anonymous self-referral options, confidential telephone and online counseling services, and privacy protections consistent with applicable federal and state law.

C. The Department shall encourage employees to seek assistance before stress-related conditions negatively affect their health, safety, or professional performance.

5. Employee Wellness Leave.

A. Subject to operational staffing requirements and applicable collective scheduling policies, each full-time correctional officer shall be provided one paid weekend of scheduled leave during each calendar month whenever reasonably practicable.

B. The Department shall administer such leave in a manner that maintains institutional safety while promoting employee recovery, family stability, and workforce retention.

6. Mental Health and Institutional Safety.

The General Assembly recognizes that correctional officers routinely encounter circumstances that may result in cumulative occupational stress and psychological fatigue.

Untreated stress and mental health challenges may contribute to:

1. Reduced concentration;
2. Slower decision-making;
3. Increased fatigue;
4. Burnout;
5. Higher absenteeism;
6. Increased employee turnover; and
7. Reduced morale.

Providing timely mental health support and predictable opportunities for recovery enables correctional officers to maintain sound judgment, professionalism, emotional resilience, and effective communication during high-pressure situations.

The General Assembly further finds that healthy correctional officers are better equipped to:

1. Maintain order and security within correctional institutions;
2. Resolve conflicts professionally;
3. Build respectful and appropriate working relationships with incarcerated individuals;
4. Reduce unnecessary confrontations through effective communication;
5. Improve institutional morale; and
6. Promote safer correctional facilities for staff, incarcerated persons, and visitors.

7. Report.

The Director of the Department of Corrections shall submit an annual report to the Governor and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Public Safety and the Senate Committee for Courts of Justice regarding implementation of this Act, including staffing levels, employee retention, utilization of mental health resources, and recommendations for continued improvement.

8. Effective Date.

This Act shall become effective on July 1, 2027.

SUPPORT FOR HOUSE BILL NO. _____

Virginia's correctional officers serve the Commonwealth every day under demanding and often dangerous conditions. Supporting their mental health, providing competitive compensation, and ensuring adequate time for recovery strengthens the workforce, improves facility safety, enhances relationships within correctional institutions, and benefits public safety throughout Virginia.

Citizens who support this legislation are respectfully encouraged to contact Governor Abigail Spanberger and express their support for increased investment in Virginia Department of Corrections correctional officers.

Governor Abigail Spanberger
Email: abigail.spanberger@governor.virginia.gov
Phone: (804) 786-5351.