Carbon County has entered into an agreement with Teamsters Local 773 to provide a hazard pay bonus to correctional officers and sergeants at the prison during the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Thursday, the county commissioners ratified an action to provide a $100 bonus to correctional officers and sergeants who have worked 160 hours or more between April 20 and May 20. A $50 bonus will be paid to those who worked between 80 and 159 hours for that same time period.

The bonus is calculated on physical hours worked.

There are currently 43 full-time correctional officers, 11 part-time correctional officers and six sergeants employed at the prison.

Carbon County will review the need for additional hazard pay in the future.

In addition, the commissioners signed a proclamation naming May 10-16 as corrections employee week in the county.

“These people are not dealing with the nicest people,” Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein said. “It’s a dangerous job.

“We wanted to take time today to recognize them for what they do in the prison and the things they have to put up.”

The proclamation says the people in corrections “serve admirably in the correctional facility in many capacities, helping to keep our citizens and communities safe.

“Correctional facility employees face daily challenging and, at times, stressful environments. They are brave, courageous and tenacious individuals who put their lives and health at risk every day.”

Nothstein said that it is always good to recognize the county employees and he believes the board doesn’t do that nearly enough.