Fairness and funding for DOC

They keep Guam’s most dangerous individuals behind bars — but for years, many say correctional officers themselves have been left behind. Now, a new bill aims to finally bring fairness — and funding — to those who guard the gates at the Department of Corrections.

What is fair compensation that will help recruit and retain officers at one of Guam’s most chronically understaffed agencies? That’s the question Senator Chris Barnett hopes to answer through Bill 140-38, the Fair Compensation and Retention for Correctional Officers Act of 2025. The measure would require the department of administration to conduct salary, recruitment, and retention studies specific to doc officers every three years — with the first one due within 90 days of becoming law.

At Monday’s public hearing, Senator Barnett said this is his third attempt to get the measure passed, after a previous version was vetoed by the governor and another was left out of the budget bill. Barnett noted that while Guam Police officers received a 25% pay differential, the increase did not address the pay gap between corrections officers and other law enforcement agencies.

Barnett said that he did receive a lot of testimony in support of the bill from employees and families, sharing, "But I also want to state for the record the concerns shared to me by social workers, who are employed by the Department of Corrections, and parole officers who are deployed at DOC, and they too feel they should be able to avail of this differential pay or any pay that should come as a result of this study."

DOC director Fred Bordallo opposed the measure, saying it would disrupt the government’s broader Hay Study schedule and that legislation isn’t needed to ensure timely reviews. He urged lawmakers instead to prioritize funding for pay adjustments through the budget process.

Although not present for the hearing, Major Anton Aguon read Bordallo's testimony. But longtime DOC veteran Aguon threw his support behind the bill, saying past pay adjustments haven’t solved the manpower crisis. Despite the existing 25% retention pay, DOC continues to face major recruitment and retention challenges

"These studies help build a more stable effective workforce better equipped to ensure public safety, address high turnover, high turnover is costly, and disruptive. A study helps pinpoint the cause of turnover enbabling targeting solutions, to reduce vacancies," he said.

Aguon said periodic studies could help strengthen the department’s workforce by identifying real gaps in salary, training, and career development. Senator Barnett said, "I just want to say for the record, I'm very aware of the concerns expressed by the entirety of the Department of Corrections family, and I want to work closely with the committee to amend the measure."

He added that after years of delay, it’s time to make sure Guam’s correctional officers — and those who work alongside them — get the fair compensation and respect they deserve.

The bill now awaits further discussion in committee before heading to the legislature floor.