NECC donates $500 to BGHS

Lagemann was curious about staffing at the prison. Redington said they employ about 400 people but could use more. With state pay increases coming, he said, base pay would go up to $45,000 a year, which should help in attracting more employees. Some of the staff, he added, earn up to $60,000 with overtime.

Redington asked that the high school’s counselor contact NECC’s recruiter to let students know about possible careers at NECC. Employees, however, have to be at least 18 years old to work there.

Lagemann said the law enforcement program at Pike-Lincoln Technical Center has expanded in recent years.

Redington told Lagemann that the check for $500 was something DOC was doing for local school districts. The money is for the school’s student activity organization, he added. The money comes from the DOC’s central office, he said.

“We’ll use it for student programs and incentive trips,” Lagemann said, adding, “just funds to give back to the kids.”

The warden also offered tours of the facility to the school staff.

Redington noted that they also have some part-time positions open. There are several types of jobs available at the facility, he added.

“We have several career paths here,” he said, “such as store keeper, teachers, vocational teachers, case workers, parole officers—it’s not just correction officers.”

He said they work hard to educate and train the facility’s offenders, so that when they get out they can break the cycle of ending back on the inside.

“Most of them have good intentions when they’re released,” he added, “to turn their lives around, but end up associating with the same people on the outside.”

They even have a truck-driving school offenders can attend. Allen said the students could learn everything they need, and once released, could go for their driving test. There’s a long list of offenders who are interested in attending the classes, he added.

Allen noted that offenders are required to attend school to get their GED while incarcerated.