Jackson Free Press

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Amid a federal investigation of its prison system, the Mississippi Department of Corrections is working on hiring probation, parole and correctional officers.

“If you want a job, we have one for you,” Commissioner Burl Cain said in a statement.“These are good, stable jobs that will enable you to provide for yourself and your families, and these are exciting jobs where you can help us ensure the safety of our state. These are jobs for the future.”

Cain has streamlined the hiring process that previously took weeks. People seeking the probation/parole agent positions must apply through the state Personnel Board, which will send lists to the Department of Corrections to conduct interviews across the state.

“You can be on the payroll the day after we hire you,” Cain said. “You won’t have to wait long for a paycheck after you have started working.”

Starting pay for a probation/parole agent is $37,185 and for a probation/parole agent trainee is $31,568. The starting pay for a correctional officer trainee is $27,149.

Interviews will be held simultaneously at six probation/parole offices: Leflore County in Greenwood; Lee County in Tupelo; Hinds County in Jackson, Forrest County in Hattiesburg; Jackson County in Pascagoula and Lauderdale County in Meridian.

The Mississippi prison system has struggled to hire guards who work for little pay in dangerous conditions. Riots in late December and early January left several inmates dead and prompted the U.S. Department of Justice to launch a civil rights investigation.

More than 60 correctional officers have been hired since June 1.