Gov. Josh Stein on Tuesday urged the North Carolina General Assembly to increase funding for correctional officer pay and staffing, citing widespread vacancies in the state’s prison system.
Speaking at a Correctional Leaders Association Southern Region meeting in Charlotte, Stein said that more than one-third of correctional officer positions statewide are unfilled and that starting pay ranks among the lowest nationally.
Department of Adult Correction Secretary Leslie Dismukes also raised concerns about staffing levels, calling for pay increases to support recruitment and retention.
“Our staff is working hard to operate prisons in a safe and effective manner, but staffing levels are critically low,” Dismukes said. “We need the General Assembly to invest in meaningful pay increases that reflect the essential role correctional officers play in public safety.”
The comments come as lawmakers have yet to finalize a comprehensive state budget. Stein said addressing vacancies in public safety roles remains a priority.
According to the governor’s office, Stein’s proposed 2025–2027 budget includes $195 million for public safety initiatives, including pay raises, hiring bonuses, and retention incentives for law enforcement and correctional officers. The proposal also includes funding for school and community violence prevention and programs to address the fentanyl and opioid crisis.
