North Dakota Invests in Correctional Officer Education

BISMARK, N.D. — The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation will offer employees assistance in earning an associate’s degree under a new initiative to reduce staff turnover.
Under the program with North Dakota University System Schools, the DOCR will pay for the first three course credits taken toward an online associate’s degree, officials say.
Each degree is expected to cost the department approximately $4,500.

The DOCR degree assistance initiative is designed to reduce staff turnover and the associated costs of staff replacement and training, officials say.

A recent departmental study found that many entry-level employees did not possess a college degree and did not see a career path that would allow them to attain higher positions within the DOCR due to their lack of advanced education.

The degree assistance program is expected to cost the DOCR up to $40,000 through 2009, officials say. Despite the departmental investment, employees will not be contractually obligated to remain with the DOCR following completion of a degree.