The North Dakota Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division meeting on January 16, 2025, highlighted significant concerns regarding the high turnover rates among correctional officers and other correctional staff. The discussion revealed that the turnover rate for correctional officers has reached alarming levels, with approximately 40% to 60% of new hires leaving within their first year of employment.

During the meeting, officials explained that the average turnover rate for correctional officers typically hovers around 30% to 35%. However, recent data indicates that the situation has worsened, particularly in the first few months of employment, where nearly 60% of correctional officers were lost in 2023 alone. This trend raises serious questions about recruitment and retention strategies within the state's correctional facilities.

Senator Cleary inquired about the specifics of these turnover rates, prompting a clarification that the figures reflect overall losses rather than annual statistics. The discussion also touched on the turnover rates for other correctional positions, such as residential treatment agents and juvenile institutional resident specialists, which similarly face high attrition.

In a more positive note, the meeting reported improvements in the turnover rates for registered nurses within the correctional system. After implementing changes to pay and working conditions, the turnover rate for nurses has decreased to below 25%, a significant improvement from previous years where it exceeded 50%.

The meeting underscored the urgent need for effective strategies to address the high turnover rates among correctional staff, which could impact the overall functioning of the state's correctional facilities. As the division moves forward, stakeholders will need to focus on enhancing recruitment and retention efforts to stabilize the workforce and ensure the safety and effectiveness of correctional operations in North Dakota.