Project Description

The ARPA-funded Detention Officer Retention Incentive Program will provide incentive payments to Detention Officers in the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) with the goal of improving staff retention. The HCSO is committed to ensuring public safety, including the safety of HCSO employees and the justice-involved persons entrusted to their care in the County Jail system. While HCSO maintains the largest jail in Texas and continues to grow its department, employee turnover continues to be high. Turnover of Detention Officers is costly to the department because itis labor- and cost-intensive to find and train new employees. Additionally, when turnover rates are high, the number of staff available to perform supervisory duties decreases. Currently, 67% of Detention Officer resignations occur within the initial two years of employment. By providing ARPA-funded incentives for Detention Officers during this important period, the HCSO is targeting increased employee retention. Incentivizing Detention Officer staff may additionally contribute to improved safety conditions for Harris County Jail inmates and staff by ensuring adequate jail staffing.

Through the Detention Officer Retention Incentive Program, Detention Officers employed with HCSO as of program approval in April 2023 will receive an initial incentive payment of $1,000 in October 2023, followed by $1,000 payments for every six months of additional service completed through the duration of the program. Each newly hired Detention Officer will receive a $1,000 retention incentive for every six months of service. Ultimately, The Detention Officer Retention Incentive Program will decrease employee turnover and will encourage skilled Detention Officers to retain their positions longer. The program will be evaluated by HCSO after twelve months and will terminate at the end of twenty-four months.